Pool Depth

12 years ago

After being on this forum for years, we are finally building a pool. Still kind of a dream although the breaker wakes me every morning at 7am!! We have rock rock rock and that mighty rock clause is killing us. Our PB gave us what he thought was a good estimate. End of yesterday capped that amount and now we're over budget to continue digging depth which brings me to my question.

I grew us with huge pools and depths to 10 feet. Of course, not going to happen here. I wanted 8 but conceded to 7. I just met with the PB and he is saying 5.5. This isn't a sport pool. It is for swimming. No diving board but because it is raised 18 inches all around to the bond beam which is I think 36 inches (nobody is supposed to jump), you know people will jump off the front.

What do you think? 5.5 deep enough for anybody jumping in? At $200 an hour for the breaker, I'm conflicted.

Comments (9)

poolguynj
12 years ago
IMHO, 5-1/2 feet is fine.

Scott
sandiegomike
12 years ago
we are starting our pool as well. our depth is 6 ft. code in costal california...
Related Professionals
Bedford Swimming Pool Builders · Buena Park Swimming Pool Builders · Port Royal Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Winder Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Anderson Landscape Contractors · Maple Valley Landscape Contractors · Chattanooga Landscape Contractors · Clark Landscape Contractors · Lewisville Landscape Contractors · Teaneck Landscape Contractors · Chandler Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Hot Springs Village Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Midwest City Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Verona Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Eustis Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
poolguynj
12 years ago
6' code for what?

Scott
golfgeek
12 years ago
cabogirl,
I wouldn't call that 863 much of a rock machine. You need a large excavator with a hammer that can do some good.
Is access to the pool site a problem?
cabogirl
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes, they already had to knock down a wall. If we wanted our garage knocked down we could get in a bigger machine. I'm beginning to think that rebuilding the garage would be less expensive then $200/hr for the breaker.
golfgeek
12 years ago
cabgirl,
A method I have used in the past with moderate success on granite rock is to saw cut the rock at 6-12 inch intervals and then use the hammer to break the rock. It's possible to gain about 3" depth after each cut and break. Good luck.
itsawrap
12 years ago
Janine - Just came on here to look around and see you are building a pool. That's great !!!

The depth of 5.5 does seem shallow. If you remember, we have a raised bond beam and then behind that a retaining wall. Swimmers will jump off those walls and when you're not looking, may dive as well.

Too my knowledge, you don't have a houseful of teenagers and their friends, so maybe it will be ok. But my initial reaction is the same that you have, too shallow.
poolguynj
12 years ago
Why not just lose the raised beam? That should bring you closer to your targeted budget and allow the shallower depth to be less of a concern. You can still swim in 5-1/2'.

Scott
cabogirl
Original Author
12 years ago
Scott - have to have the raised bond beam to meet code. The pool is built into our hill. We settled at 6 feet. I think it will be fine.

Hey Kathy - nice to see you. Not a lot of teenagers and no boys except the one who will be the first to jump - JOE!