Pool Caissons for Complex Pool Sites
A hillside pool may need caissons when the approved design and site conditions call for that type of support. Hillside Pool Builder includes caisson installation among its confirmed services. Tell us about your slope, access, and planned pool so we can discuss the project with the appropriate specialists.
At Hillside Pool Builder, we analyze such conditions, if any, and incorporate Caissons in the required locations as part of the entire hillside and structural support system for your project.
It is to be noted that the inclusion of Caissons in a project is purely based on the conditions of the site and the project.
To address the major concern of many, the inclusion of Caissons is not mandatory for all the swimming pool projects located on a site having a slope.
If you want to build a pool on a sloped property, start with our hillside pool construction service. The site and design will determine whether caissons belong in the scope.
To understand the conditions of your site and the requirements of Caissons and other support structures, if any, for your swimming pool project, feel free to contact us.
You shouldn’t automatically assume that caissons are needed because any of the following exist:
- A backyard slope
- A home on a hillside
- A large pool
- An infinity edge is being considered
- An adjacent property has used them
Each site is unique and requires an evaluation to understand the proposed design.
The early evaluation of a project helps to determine the potential means and methods that may address the project requirements.
Evaluate Your Project
What is a Caisson in Pool Construction?
A caisson is a deeper element of the structure that may be necessary to support the construction loads if the design requires support below the existing ground or pool construction conditions.
For the pool owner, it is not essential to understand what elements of the structure support the pool.
The crucial aspect is having a basic understanding of the design and the rationale to support the project.
It is important for the pool owner to ask:
- What is the support for the structure and where is it located?
- What is the extent of the support and is it necessary?
Each project must be individually assessed to understand the requirements and apply the necessary supports, if any.
Not all sloped sites require supports.
For additional information about the hillside-pool conversation, see our hillside pool construction service.
Starting the Conversation About Your Pool Construction Project
When thinking about pool construction, there are better places to start the discussion than the methods that will be employed to support the structure.
The location of the pool can affect things like the operation and order of excavation work, and how the external areas of the property are arranged.
If the location of the pool changes, so might the suggestions in the structural support of the construction project.
This is why it is important to have the plans of the property and the location of the construction project clearly defined before suggestions about structural support are made.
The suggestions should be designed to create a relation of balance among the home, the area where the pool is placed, the levels of the property, the ways of getting to and from the construction project and the external areas of the property.
If suggestions about structural support are required for a pool project, it is best to engage the services of a pool design company.
See our pool excavation service .
Retaining Walls and Caissons are Often Confused
Retaining walls and caissons are sometimes discussed together, usually in the context of sloping sites.
Although they can appear in the same discussion, they solve different issues.
A wall may be used to retain earth and are used to alter or reshape the contour of the site.
Caissons, on the other hand, are deep, supportive, structural elements.
As required by the project, the following may be used.
Hillside Pool Builder understands that not every hillside pool requires a caisson, and they are not standard on every project.
Caissons should only be used when their inclusion resolves a issue in the design.
Hillside Pool Builder takes a case by case approach, and evaluates structural elements to determine if they are required for the project.
This approach is used to determine the extent structural elements should be used, and how they should inform the design.
Size, shape and position can impact how the project adjoins the site.
Of course, there are other factors to consider in addition to structure.
Ideally, the two should be coordinated with each other.
As part of the project’s design process, the pool’s shape, size and location should be determined.
The shape, size and location of a pool can impact how a hillside project is built.
Homeowners should investigate custom pool design to assist them in developing their project ideas.
Caissons and Infinity Edge Pool Projects
There is a common perception that hillside and elevated pools are infinity edge pools. As a result, homeowners often believe that any pool constructed on an elevated or hillside location would require caissons.
This is not the case.
An infinity edge pool is pool design that integrates a vanishing edge and presents an unobstructed view beyond the pool edge. The design and the construction of a pool with a vanishing edge depends on other factors and constraints of the project and the site.
If your goal is to create a vanishing edge, then this pool design should be pursued as an infinity edge pool project.
The project’s broader scope allows us to address any site-specific conditions.
To learn more about constructing infinity edge pools, visit infinity pool construction.
What does infinity edge pool construction involve?
A basic level of understanding of the project allows us to identify opportunities for the use of construction caissons.
Prior to including construction caissons in the project scope, the following may need to be determined.
- Where will the Pool be Located?
- What is the Relative Location of the Pool in regards to the House?
- What is the Building Configuration?
- How does the building engage the site?
- What is the Most Efficient Location to Store the Construction Materials?
- What restrictions are there on the Work?
- What conditions are there on site?
- What impact would other work have on the construction of the pool?
Determining if Caissons are needed for the project, doesn’t mean that Caissons will be constructed.
How a Caisson Related Pool Project Progresses
Although steps and requirements will vary, the route should remain largely the same.
1. Understand What you Wish to Build
The first step is determining your desired pool placement and construction.
2. Consider the Site Conditions
Construction context is considered in relation to the proposed construction.
3. Define the Relevant Structural Question
If answers point to the need for additional structural support, the project is ready for a more refined support analysis.
4. Review the Proposed Structural Approach
All elements of support and structural framework should logically align with the pool layout, and excavation construction.
5. Refine Scope
Based on the answers to the preceding steps, relevant elements of the project scope and framework can be refined and aligned.
6. Prepare to Build
Project construction can now be initiated.
What Caissons Don't Say
Caissons address a particular structural need within a pool project. They don’t dictate the general pool edge shape and finish. They don’t decide the presence of an infinity edge. They don’t define the landscape, deck and general outdoor living area. Also, the presence of caissons doesn’t mean other aspects of the project will also require other engineering and supporting services.
When to Use This Service
We can help you design your pool if you already have a plan that shows where walls, other structures, and elevation changes are located.
This service probably isn’t appropriate if you are still thinking about the different types of pools that you may want to install and where they might go.
Design your pool to get started with the process of creating your pool if you don’t already know what the design needs to be.
What Determines the Scope of Work for Caissons?
The requirements of each individual project dictate the scope of work for caissons.
There are a number of project considerations that may influence the width of the scope for the project and pool structure integration, including:
- The location of the proposed pool;
- Grade conditions and elevations surrounding the pool;
- Relationship of the pool to other site structures;
- Temporary and Permanent site access conditions;
- The overall project scope and limits;
- On site, projects conditions and constraints;
- And other site and structural conditions.
It is difficult to establish a project rate without first understanding the project limits and site conditions.
Cost of Caissons
The cost of caissons is a part of the overall cost of constructing a pool.
The cost of a pool structure and other project components, including site access and construction, must also be considered.
Complications related to site conditions may also impact the overall cost of the project.
A hillside site with significant constraints should not be compared to a more level site.
Pool Caissons in Los Angeles and Southern California
Hillside Pool Builder services Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including parts of San Diego and Orange counties.
Caissons become crucial when a building or improvement raises a significant structural issue. That concern may exist even if the improvement or structure is located in a hillside community.
This becomes important for local SEO and the concern is always with the property and not with the community.
To learn more, check out our pool builder service areas.
For pool builder services in Hillside area of Los Angeles, check out our Sherman Oaks pool builder services.
For other areas of Los Angeles, check out our Los Angeles pool builder services.
To learn more about our work, check out our gallery.
To help us understand your project better, check out the reviews on our site.
You don’t have to come up with the structural solution yourself. Usually, the point at which caissons are mentioned in a project means we need more info. Let us know what you have.
Helpful details may include:
- Property location or ZIP code
- Photos of the proposed pool area
- Photos illustrating slope or grade changes
- The proposed pool location
- Existing design or project plans
- Limits to backyard access
- Whether excavation has been discussed
- Any available project information
The goal of the first discussion is to help us understand the situation and not to have the property owner try to figure it out on his/her own.
Pool Caissons
What are pool caissons?
Pool caissons are specialized, deeper structural elements of support that may be constructed as a part of a pool project to address specific site/structural conditions.
Are caissons required for hillside pools?
Not necessarily. Other, more appropriate, structural support elements may be constructed to address the project requirements and conditions.
Are retaining walls caissons?
No. Caissons and retaining walls address different conditions and may or may not be constructed as a part of a project.
Do pool excavation and caissons occur simultaneously?
No. Excavation and support construction are sequential.
Are caissons required for an infinity pool?
Not necessarily. Other, more appropriate, structural elements may be constructed to support the project conditions.
Background information on a particular project site will help us determine the appropriate design to meet the project requirements.
How much do caisson installations cost?
Cost depends on the scale and complexity of the job. We would need information on the site, the access, the proposed pool, and the property, in order to provide a specific quote.
How do I know if my pool project needs caissons?
The situation for each pool project needs to be assessed individually. There is no hard and fast rule about hillside properties.
Where does Hillside Pool Builder install pool caissons?
Hillside Pool Builder, located in Sherman Oaks, provides pool construction and caisson services in the greater Los Angeles area, and in the counties of Orange and San Diego.
Do you think your project requires Pool Caissons?
Let us know about your plans and the concerns you have. We can then evaluate your project and Plan the specifics of your Pool project.
But, we hear your concerns. We do get many hillside Pool projects, and there are general patterns to the design and construction of Pools in hilly Areas.
Schedule your Structural Consultation to plan your pool project.