The equipment on the pad decides how much power the pool draws every single day, which is why energy efficient pool solutions deserve as much attention as the design itself.

Below, we walk through where a pool’s energy actually goes and which upgrades change it the most.

Where an Energy Efficient Pool Saves the Most

Pool running costs come mostly from the equipment that runs the longest. Here is roughly how the load breaks down:

• The pump circulates the water and runs for hours every day, so it is the biggest draw.
• The heater works hardest in spring and fall, when people want to swim earlier and later in the season.
• Lighting draws far less, although older incandescent fixtures still add up over a long summer.
• Controls decide when everything else runs, which makes them small on their own but important overall.

The good news is that this equipment has improved a great deal. Better pumps, filters, heaters, lighting and control systems all do the same work as older models on less power, and the pump shows the biggest change of all.

In other words, the biggest gains usually come from replacing older equipment rather than changing how you use the pool.

The Variable Speed Pool Pump Does the Heavy Lifting

How it uses less power

A traditional single-speed pump runs at full power every time it switches on, whether the pool needs that much flow or not. A variable speed pool pump lets you match the speed to the job, so it can run slowly for daily filtering and speed up only for cleaning or a water feature.

Because a pump’s power draw drops sharply as it slows down, a variable-speed model can reduce pool-pump energy use by 50% to 75% compared with a single-speed pump. Running longer at a lower speed also allows slower, more effective filtration, helping keep water circulating through the filter for more of the day.

Why the filter matters too

A pump only saves as much as the rest of the system allows. A high-capacity, low-resistance filter needs less pressure to push water through, so the pump can sit at a low-energy setting for longer. Pairing the filter with the pump is an easy detail to miss when you compare bids.

Where the rules are heading

State and federal rules have pushed in the same direction. Under California’s Title 20 appliance efficiency standards, replacement pool pump motors of 0.5 total horsepower or more made since July 19, 2021 have to be variable speed. Federal U.S. Department of Energy standards now require the same for pool pump motors of 1.15 total horsepower and up made since September 29, 2025, and smaller motors down to 0.5 horsepower follow on September 28, 2027.

Pool Heater Cost Comes Down to the Type of Heater

When homeowners ask about pool heater cost, the real question is usually how much energy it takes to keep the water warm month after month. That depends mostly on the type of heater.

Why heat pumps suit the Valley

Heat pumps work best in warm air, and Sacramento has plenty of it through the swim season. Some models can also cool the water on extra-hot days, which helps when a July pool starts to feel too warm to be refreshing.

Keeping the heat you already have

Pool size plays a part as well, since a small pool has less water to heat in the first place. Once the water is warm, an automatic pool cover keeps that heat in overnight, so the heater has less to make up the next morning.

Lighting and Automation Save in Smaller Ways

LED pool lighting

LED pool lights can use up to 90 percent less energy than older incandescent pool lights. They also last much longer, which means fewer bulb replacements, and many models offer multiple colors and lighting effects that can change the look of the yard at night.

Automation and peak hours

Automation is where those savings become easy to keep. With a Pentair control system, you can schedule the pump and heater from your phone, so the equipment runs only when it needs to.

Scheduling matters in Sacramento, because SMUD’s time-of-day rate makes electricity most expensive from 5 to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and in summer weekday afternoons from noon cost more as well. Setting the pump to do its daily run overnight and in the morning is one of the simplest ways to lower pool running costs without changing anything else.

If your home is on a different utility, the same idea applies to whatever peak window your rate plan uses.

Upgrading the Pool You Already Have

You do not need a new pool to benefit from any of this. Most efficient equipment can be added to an older pool, and the work usually follows this order:

1. Start with the pump, because it runs the most hours of any piece of equipment.
2. Have the plumbing and filter checked, since older pools were often sized for a single-speed pump.
3. Add a heat pump or LED lighting when the timing suits you.
4. Fold any remaining upgrades into a larger pool renovation if one is already planned.

A well-matched setup usually performs better than a new pump bolted onto an old layout, which is why the checking step matters.

Why Efficiency Is Built Into Every Wells Pools Design

At Wells Pools, we build energy efficiency and low maintenance into the pool package from the very first design meeting.

Being a Pentair Elite Dealer means we work with the full range of energy-efficient pool equipment, from variable speed pumps to heat pumps and automation. For homeowners, the result is equipment chosen as a system rather than piece by piece, with the pump and filter sized to work together.

That is also why the installer matters as much as the equipment, and why it pays to work with an experienced swimming pool builder who plans the whole pad from the start.

What an Energy Efficient Pool Really Saves

An energy efficient pool saves in two main ways. The biggest is electricity, since a variable speed pump and a heat pump do the same work with far less power.

The second is time. Automation and LED lighting take most of the routine tasks off your list, which leaves you more of the season to actually swim.

The post Energy Efficient Pool Equipment and What It Really Saves appeared first on Wells Pools.

The right pick usually comes down to your lot and how long you plan to stay in the home, so below we walk through how each type is built, where each one makes sense, and what changes after the water goes in.

What a Gunite Pool Is and How It Gets Built

A gunite pool is a concrete pool formed on site rather than delivered in one piece. After the crew excavates the shape and runs the rough plumbing and electrical lines, a grid of steel rebar is tied through the entire shell. A dry concrete mix is then sprayed through a hose at high pressure, with water added at the nozzle, so it bonds to the rebar as it lands.

Because there is no factory mold involved, the design sets the depth and the outline of the pool. That also means a spa can be built into the same structure, along with features like a tanning ledge or a raised wall that spills into the pool.

Inspections happen at set stages along the way. On our builds, the first inspection follows the rebar and rough plumbing, before any gunite is sprayed. That order matters, since the steel inside the shell is what gives a gunite pool its strength over decades.

Over time, the interior surface is the part that wears. Plaster is the traditional finish, while pebble and other aggregate finishes usually last noticeably longer, often close to twice as long with good water care. When a finish does wear out, the shell underneath stays where it is, which is why a gunite pool can be resurfaced or fully renovated many times over its life.

How a Fiberglass Pool Differs

A fiberglass pool arrives as a single shell made in a factory. The crew digs a hole to match it, sets a base, lowers the shell in by crane and then backfills around it. Its gelcoat surface is smooth and soft underfoot, and it gives algae less to grip than a textured finish.

The tradeoff is the mold itself. You choose from the shapes a manufacturer already produces, and because shells travel by truck, their width is capped by what can legally move on a highway. Long, narrow lap pools suit that format well, but wide freeform designs and spas built into a specific corner usually do not.

Access is the other big question in Sacramento neighborhoods. A fiberglass shell often has to be craned over the house or a neighbor’s yard, while a gunite crew needs far less room: space for a hose line and a compact excavator.

On the narrow side yards common in older, closely built neighborhoods, access alone can settle the gunite vs fiberglass decision before design even comes up.

Where an Above Ground Pool Fits

An above-ground pool sits on a level pad in the yard, so there is no excavation, and many models can be taken down and moved later. That makes it a reasonable fit for renters, or for a family that wants to test whether a pool will actually get used.

The limits tend to show up quickly in a Sacramento summer, though. Depth is shallow and fixed, which rules out diving and real lap swimming. On top of that, the exposed walls take on afternoon heat, so the water can feel warm well before August.

Since the equipment sits next to the pool instead of on a hidden pad, the whole setup is also hard to blend into landscaping.

Whichever type you choose, safety rules still apply. California’s Swimming Pool Safety Act requires at least two drowning prevention features when a permit is issued for a new pool or spa, or the remodel of an existing one, at a single-family home, and the federal Pool Safely program adds clear guidance on barriers and supervision.

Above Ground Pool vs Inground Pool: The Long-Term View

For most families, the above ground pool vs inground pool decision comes down to permanence. An above ground pool is equipment you own for a while, whereas an inground pool becomes part of the property, with decking and planting designed around it.

Lifespan follows the same split. A well-built gunite shell lasts for decades with periodic resurfacing. A fiberglass pool also has a long life, although the gelcoat can fade or crack over time and repairs can be hard to match. Above ground liners and walls, by comparison, are replaced on a much shorter cycle.

Covering the water matters too. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that a pool cover can prevent up to 95 percent of pool water evaporation, which saves water, energy and money. An inground pool can take a built-in automatic cover, while most above ground pools rely on a loose cover pulled on by hand.

Why a Gunite Pool Suits Most Sacramento Valley Yards

For a permanent pool in this region, a gunite pool is usually the strongest choice. The Wells family has been building pools across Greater Sacramento for over 40 years, and the reasons we keep coming back to gunite are practical ones.

To start with, lot shapes here vary widely. A hillside in El Dorado Hills needs a shell engineered into the grade, while a compact yard in Midtown might only fit a small pool or a spool. Gunite handles both, because the structure is built to the site rather than to a fixed shape.

Ground conditions play a part as well. Rocklin sits on granite, much of it close to the surface, and homeowners there often find that not every builder will quote the work. Excavation in those yards may need drilling, but the gunite shell is still formed to the exact hole that gets dug.

Design range is another reason. Crisp geometric pools with clean lines come from the same process as a long lap pool with an attached spa, and we have built both in this area.

Timing is predictable too. Our average build runs 6 to 8 weeks from contract to swim. Weather and inspection waits can shift that window, which is why we plan around them from the first meeting.

Finally, there is licensing. Pool construction in California falls under the C-53 swimming pool contractor classification, and Wells Pools holds CSLB license #890910. You can look up any contractor’s license on the CSLB site before you sign, and hiring a licensed swimming pool builder gives you a verified record of who is building your pool.

Questions to Settle Before You Choose

Four questions settle most of this before you talk to a builder:

How long will you stay in the home?

If the answer is a few years, an above ground pool may be enough, but a home you intend to keep is a better match for inground.

How wide is your side yard?

Measure the narrowest point and note any overhead lines, since that tells you whether a fiberglass shell can get in at all.

Who will swim?

Lap swimmers and families with young kids want very different depths and layouts, and a custom gunite pool can serve both in one shell.

What does the warranty cover?

Ask every contractor which inspections happen at which stage and what is covered in writing. At Wells Pools, every pool shell carries a lifetime guarantee that it stays leak-free for as long as you own your home.

The post Gunite Pool vs Fiberglass vs Above-Ground: Which to Pick appeared first on Wells Pools.

Is your pool depth ruining your backyard?

A pool that is too deep wastes backyard space and money. Most families never dive, but they pay to heat and treat a deep end forever. Wells Pools, a family-owned contractor serving Greater Sacramento and Northern California for over 40 years, builds custom pools designed for each homeowner’s lifestyle and property. A deep pool that nobody uses turns the backyard into a monument to unused potential.

What depth works best for a family pool?

Keeping maximum depth between 4.5 and 6 feet provides more usable space for games and lounging. A shallower pool is safer for kids and lowers energy and chemical costs. Homeowners who insist on an 8-foot deep end often discover their children prefer the shallow end for volleyball, basketball, and floating. The deep end becomes a dark, cold zone that requires extra chemicals and heating for no benefit.

Can a sports pool solve the depth problem?

A sports pool offers shallow ends on both sides with the deepest section in the middle. This layout maximizes usable square footage for activities while keeping the pool safer for children. Families who switch to this design report more time spent in the water and lower monthly utility bills. The pool becomes a gathering space rather than a hole in the ground that nobody fully enjoys.

Did you skip the spa in your design?

Many homeowners cut the spa from their swimming pool design to save money, only to regret the decision later. A spa adds to the upfront budget, but it often becomes the most-used feature in most backyards. It is where adults unwind after work. Children play on the shallow bench, and where families enjoy warm water on cool nights when the main pool is off limits. Skipping the spa means losing a year-round relaxation zone that delivers daily value far beyond its construction cost.

What spa options does Wells Pools offer?

Wells Pools builds custom spas designed as standalone features or built directly into the pool structure. Each spa integrates with the overall outdoor living plan, matching the pool’s finish, tile, and coping for a seamless look. Homeowners can pair the spa with fire features, outdoor kitchens, or synthetic turf to create a complete backyard retreat.

How does a spa change backyard usage?

A spa transforms how a family uses the backyard across all four seasons. Adults use it for evening relaxation after work, while children enjoy the warm water and shallow seating during cooler months. The spa extends the swimming season in Northern California, giving homeowners a usable water feature even when air temperatures drop. This single addition increases the property’s functional square footage without requiring a larger pool footprint.

The Smartest First Step: Start with a Cohesive Swimming Pool Design Plan

Skipping a detailed swimming pool design plan is the most expensive mistake a homeowner can make. A pool built without a cohesive vision often leads to costly rework, awkward traffic flow, and a backyard that feels disconnected. Wells Pools, a family-owned contractor serving Greater Sacramento and Northern California for over 40 years, recommends starting with a comprehensive outdoor design plan. This plan maps how the pool, hardscape, lighting, and gathering areas work together before a single yard of dirt moves.

A thoughtful plan prevents the seven most common design regrets, including incorrect depth and size. Many families overestimate how often they will dive, yet they pay to heat and treat a deep end forever. Keeping maximum depth between 4.5 and 6 feet creates more usable space for games and lounging, improves safety for children, and lowers energy and chemical costs. For homeowners who want volleyball or basketball, a sports pool with shallow ends and a deeper middle delivers function without wasted space. Without this upfront strategy, you risk locking in a layout that fails your family’s daily routine and carries hidden maintenance burdens for decades.

Swimming Pool Design: Why Renovation Beats Starting Over

A swimming pool design that misses the mark doesn’t require a full demolition to fix. For Sacramento homeowners with an older pool, renovation delivers the modern look and energy efficiency you want without the cost, time, and yard disruption of a new build. Wells Pools has spent over 40 years serving Greater Sacramento. Renovation is often the smarter path to the backyard you actually want.

The Hidden Cost of an Outdated Pool

Every year you keep an outdated pool, you lose money and enjoyment. An old single-speed pump can consume significantly more energy than a modern variable-speed model, driving up monthly utility bills. Outdated filters struggle to keep water clear, which means more chemicals, more time brushing, and more frustration. Without renovation, you carry these costs every single month.

What a Renovation Actually Fixes

A renovation from Wells Pools transforms how your pool looks, works, and feels. We refresh worn surfaces, replace outdated tile, improve decking, and add new lighting for a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. But the real value lies in the systems you cannot see.

Options like variable-speed pumps, updated filters, heat pumps, LED lighting, automation systems, salt systems, mineral systems, and robotic cleaners can help reduce daily upkeep while cutting energy consumption. These upgrades pay for themselves over time through lower utility bills and reduced chemical usage.

The Practical Upgrade Path

Why Homeowners Choose Renovation

Renovation makes sense when the pool’s structure is sound but the design and equipment have aged. You avoid the headache of permits for new construction, the dust of excavation, and the loss of your entire backyard for months. Instead, you get a refreshed space that feels new, with a fraction of the disruption.

Wells Pools stands behind every renovation with a lifetime warranty on pool shells. That guarantee, combined with clear communication and a commitment to timelines, means you know exactly what to expect from your project. Your renovated pool becomes the centerpiece of your backyard—not a source of regret.

Are you planning for your lifestyle needs?

A swimming pool design that ignores how a family actually lives creates frustration instead of fun. Wells Pools builds every project around each home, each property, and the way clients want to use their backyard. When the design process starts with lifestyle questions, the finished pool supports daily life rather than complicating it.

What happens when design ignores daily use?

Inground pool design mistakes can quickly undermine good intentions and leave homeowners floundering for solutions. The permanent nature of inground construction means errors are exceptionally expensive to undo. A pool built without considering how children play, how adults entertain, or how maintenance routines fit a schedule becomes a source of regret rather than relaxation.

How can an older pool be adapted to changing needs?

A swimming pool renovation updates an existing pool without the cost and disruption of starting from scratch. Wells Pools adds features that transform how a space functions:

• Tanning ledges and beach entries create shallow zones for lounging and safe play

• Waterfalls and bubblers introduce soothing sound and visual interest

• Built-in seating and spas extend seating capacity for gatherings

These additions turn an outdated pool into a purposeful backyard hub. The brand backs this long-term investment with a lifetime warranty on pool shells, giving homeowners confidence that thoughtful design decisions remain protected for decades.

Conclusion

In closing, avoiding these common design mistakes transforms your backyard from a potential eyesore into a cohesive outdoor living space that enhances your home’s value and your family’s lifestyle. At Wells Pools, we’ve spent over four decades helping Northern California homeowners navigate these pitfalls with thoughtful, custom designs tailored to each property’s unique layout and your personal vision. Whether you’re working with an unusual yard size or planning a complete outdoor renovation, our commitment to practical solutions and quality craftsmanship ensures your pool becomes the centerpiece you’ve always wanted—not a regrettable misstep.

The post Swimming Pool Design Mistakes to Avoid appeared first on Wells Pools.

It looks like a win on day one, but the risk shows up later, and in California it can get expensive.

Here is what a licensed pool contractor protects you from, and what an unlicensed one leaves on your shoulders.

What a Licensed Pool Contractor Is in California

Pool builders in California are licensed by the Contractors State License Board, or CSLB. The license that covers pool work is the C-53 Swimming Pool Contractor classification, and it applies to new builds, repairs, and renovations alike.

You almost always need one for a pool. State law now requires a license for any job where labor and materials reach $1,000, and pool projects sit far above that. They also require permits, which means a licensed contractor is required, no matter the price.

Earning a C-53 license is not simple. A contractor has to prove years of experience, pass state exams, and carry a $25,000 bond. That bond matters to you directly, because it gives you a way to recover money if the contractor breaks the rules.

Why Unlicensed Bids Look Attractive

Unlicensed contractors skip the cost of bonding, insurance, exams, and often permits, so their bids come in lower. Some of them do decent work. The catch is that you take on every risk the license system was built to cover, and you usually do not feel it until something goes wrong.

What the Risk Really Looks Like

No bond and no recovery

A licensed pool contractor stands behind a bond, and the CSLB will investigate complaints against them. With an unlicensed one, neither exists. If they walk off mid-build or leave faulty work behind, there is no bond to claim against and no agency holding them accountable.

You can be liable for injuries

Licensed contractors with employees have to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Unlicensed ones often carry none. If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, you can end up responsible for the medical bills, because the law may treat that worker as your employee.

Permit and resale trouble

Work done without permits does not pass inspection, and unpermitted construction tends to surface later, usually when you sell the home or file an insurance claim. Fixing it after the fact costs more than doing it right would have. A licensed builder pulls the permits and handles inspections as part of the construction process.

Weak footing in a dispute

The law does hand you one protection. Under California’s contractor licensing law, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue you to collect payment, and you can require them to return everything you already paid, even if the pool was finished.

That sounds powerful, and it is. The hard part is collecting from someone with no bond, no insurance, and few assets. You can win on paper and still be stuck with an unfinished pool.

Put plainly, an unlicensed pool contractor can leave you exposed to:

• A half-finished or defective pool with no bond to claim against
• Liability for injuries to uninsured workers on your property
• Unpermitted work that fails inspection or stalls a future home sale
• Repair costs that erase the money you thought you saved
• A legal fight against someone who may have nothing left to recover

The Penalties Tell You Something

California treats unlicensed contracting as a crime, which says plenty about the risk on the other side of the table. Penalties run from heavy fines into possible jail time, and they climb fast for repeat offenders. Anyone working without a license is choosing to take that risk, which is worth remembering when their bid looks too good to pass up.

How to Verify a Licensed Pool Contractor

Checking a license takes a few minutes and is worth every one. Before you sign anything:

• Ask for the license number and confirm it shows an active C-53 classification
• Verify it free through the CSLB at CheckTheLicenseFirst.com
• Confirm the bond is current and ask whether they carry workers’ compensation insurance
• Keep your deposit small, since the legal down payment cap is 10 percent of the contract price
• Get the scope, price, and schedule in a written contract before work starts

Rules do change, so it is worth confirming the current ones with the CSLB before you commit. And if you are still weighing companies, choosing a pool builder the right way starts with the license.

Hire a Licensed Pool Contractor You Can Actually Check

You should never have to take a builder’s word for it, so verify it instead.

Wells Pools is a fully licensed, family-owned and family-managed pool builder serving Greater Sacramento and Northern California, and backs every pool with a lifetime guarantee that the shell stays leak-free for as long as you own your home.

Whether you are planning a new pool or a renovation, request a free quote or call (916) 638-8810, and the team will share its license details up front.

The post Licensed Pool Contractor vs Unlicensed: What the Risk Really Looks Like appeared first on Wells Pools.

That heat lands on the tile band and the edge of the pool on most days from June through September. The pool tile ideas in this guide start from that reality, so each section looks at one part of the pool and the choices that tend to stay looking clean there.

Pool Tile Ideas Worth Considering for a Valley Pool

Before getting into how each part of the pool handles the heat, here are the looks we see working well on Sacramento pools. Each one pairs a strong design with a material that copes with long, bright summers.

A horizontal porcelain ledger band

Long, narrow ledger tiles laid in a horizontal band give the waterline a clean, stretched-out look that suits both modern and traditional pools. Porcelain is fired at high temperature and colored with mineral pigments, so the band holds its tone through years of direct sun instead of fading.

Stone-look porcelain

Porcelain made to look like travertine or slate gives the waterline the texture of natural stone. At the same time, it avoids the sealing and porosity concerns that come with real stone sitting in constant contact with pool water.

Tone-on-tone tile and coping

Choosing a waterline tile one or two shades darker than the coping creates a quiet, layered edge. This works especially well on a modern pool, where the goal is a calm outline rather than a bold border.

A fully tiled raised spa

Wrapping the face of a raised spa in tile turns it into the centerpiece of the yard. A blue or blue-green tile with a variegated glaze picks up the light differently as the day goes on, and because most of the face sits above the water, the tile is on full display from the patio.

Pool Tile Ideas for the Waterline, Where the Sun Hits Hardest

The waterline tile band sits exactly where the pool loses water to evaporation. As the level drops on hot days, minerals in the water dry onto the tile and leave a pale line that builds up over time.

For that reason, the waterline is the one place where tile has to be easy to clean as well as good to look at.

A few qualities make the biggest difference:

• Material: Dense porcelain absorbs 0.5 percent of its weight in water or less under the standard the Tile Council of North America uses, so minerals tend to sit on the surface instead of working their way in.
• Surface: A matte or lightly textured face hides light scale between cleanings better than high gloss.
• Color: Mid-tone grays and soft blue-greens show far less of the mineral line than very dark tile, where any white residue stands out.
• Grout: A grout color close to the tile keeps any scale along the joints from showing up as a grid.

Why Porcelain Often Wins Over Glass at the Waterline

One Rocklin homeowner wrote in a Google review that we discouraged glass tile at the waterline because of our warranty policy, and that glass was all they had in mind when picking out tiles.

They settled on Aquabella Tivoli White porcelain ledger tile for the waterline band and used NPT Starburst teal glass mosaic for the step detail and the spa spillway.

The interior is Pebble Tec PebbleSheen in Irish Mist, which gave them the teal color they wanted.

Pool Coping Has to Stay Comfortable Underfoot

Pool coping is the cap that runs along the top edge of the pool, and in Sacramento it is the surface bare feet touch most in July. Dark stone and dark concrete can get uncomfortably hot by mid-afternoon, so lighter coping in sand or pale gray is usually the better choice around a family pool.

The coping also frames the tile, which is why the two work best when you choose them together. An off-white or light gray coping hides dust and pollen better than pure white, which helps in a yard surrounded by trees.

On a modern pool with straight lines, a squared coping edge keeps the profile crisp, while a rounded bullnose edge feels softer on a pool built for young kids.

On a raised spa, the coping turns into seating as well as trim. That detail matters most on compact lots, where many small pool ideas rely on a raised spa wall to add a place to sit.

Where Accent Tile Earns Its Place

Of all the pool tile ideas here, accent tile is the easiest to overdo, so it works best in small doses and in two places in particular.

Step edges and bench seats

A contrasting strip along the front edge of each step makes the steps easier to see from above the water, which helps guests and kids find their footing. A matching band on bench seats does the same job in the shallow end, and it keeps the accent color consistent across the pool.

The spa spillway

The spillway is where an accent tile does the most work, because water running over the edge catches the light and draws the eye. Using the same accent color as the steps ties the spa back to the pool, so the whole design reads as one piece.

Modern Pool Tile and the Color of the Water

Modern pool tile works as part of the interior finish rather than as a separate feature. Strong Valley sunlight exaggerates whatever sits below the water, so a pale interior reads as vivid aqua at noon, while a darker finish pushes the water toward a deep, still blue.

That deeper tone suits many luxury pool designs, especially when the waterline tile sits a shade lighter than the interior so the edge of the pool still stands out.

On an existing pool, swapping the waterline tile alongside a new interior is one of the most noticeable changes you can make during a pool renovation. Either way, a few checks before you sign off on a tile will save you from surprises:

• Look at the sample wet, since color can shift once water covers it.
• Hold it next to your coping and decking samples rather than judging it alone.
• Check it in late afternoon sun, when glare across the water is at its strongest.
• Ask how the tile is cleaned once scale starts to build at the waterline.

Choose a Finish That Still Looks Right Ten Summers From Now

The best pool tile ideas are the ones that look as good in August as they did on the sample board. In the Valley, that usually means dense porcelain at the waterline and light coping where bare feet land, with accent color saved for the steps and the spillway.

On a new build, tile goes in soon after the shell is sprayed. Settling these choices early in the swimming pool construction schedule keeps the tile and the deck working as one design.

The post Pool Tile Ideas That Hold Up Under the Sacramento Sun appeared first on Wells Pools.

Once you understand the parts involved, the vanishing edge stops looking like magic and starts looking like what it really is, which is precise construction.

Here is how a backyard infinity pool works, and why these pools take more skill to build than a standard one.

What a Backyard Infinity Pool Is

An infinity pool goes by a few names, including vanishing edge and negative edge. They all describe the same design. One wall of the pool is built slightly lower than the water level, so water flows over that edge without stopping.

When you look across the pool, the water seems to meet the horizon with no visible boundary. The effect only works when there is something to look at past the edge, such as a hillside, a valley, or a city skyline.

That is why these pools turn up so often on sloped lots where the land falls away behind the pool, and why they have become one of the most recognizable elements of luxury pool design.

How a Backyard Infinity Pool Works, Step by Step

The vanishing edge depends on a constant loop of moving water. Three parts make that loop possible.

The weir wall

The weir wall is the edge itself. It is built a fraction of an inch below the pool’s water line, and the top has to be dead level along its entire length. Water spills over this wall in a thin, even sheet. If the wall is off by even a little, the sheet looks uneven, and the illusion falls apart.

The catch basin

Below the weir wall sits a hidden trough called the catch basin, or surge tank. It collects every bit of water that pours over the edge. The basin is usually formed from the same concrete structure as the pool and tucked out of sight beneath the edge. It also has to hold the extra water that gets displaced when people climb in.

The recirculation pump

A separate pump pulls water out of the catch basin, sends it through filtration, and returns it to the main pool. That keeps the pool topped up so water keeps flowing over the weir wall. The result is a closed loop. The same water cycles over the edge and back again, so none of it goes to waste.

The Engineering Details That Make or Break It

A vanishing edge leaves little room for error. Small mistakes show up right away, either in how the water looks or in how the structure holds up over time. These are the details that matter most:

• Level tolerance. That dead-level weir wall has to stay within a fraction of an inch across its whole length, which is why infinity pools are almost always built from concrete rather than pre-made shells. It also makes the construction process more demanding than a standard pool.
• Surge capacity. Sizing the catch basin is its own calculation. AQUA Magazine, a pool industry publication, points to water-in-transit, bather surcharge, and the effects of wind as the factors that decide how large it needs to be. Get it wrong and the basin overflows or runs dry.
• Structure. The edge wall and basin face far more water pressure than the other sides of the pool. That section needs heavier reinforcement and a footing designed for the extra load.
• Soil and slope. Since many of these pools sit on hillsides, the ground has to be stable enough to hold the structure without shifting. Settling at the edge can ruin the level line, the whole effect of which depends on.
• Waterproofing. The weir wall is wet on both sides, so sealing it well keeps water from migrating through and causing damage later.

Getting all of this right comes down to the team doing the work, so choosing an experienced builder matters more here than on almost any other type of pool.

Energy and Upkeep

A backyard infinity pool runs a second pump that a standard pool does not, so it uses more energy. The answer is to size that pump well and run it efficiently.

Upkeep is a little different too. The catch basin acts like one long skimmer running the length of the edge, so it needs regular cleaning to keep working well.

Many builders also run tile farther down inside the basin, because the water level there rises and falls and plain plaster does not hold up to that back and forth.

Is Your Yard Right for an Infinity Pool?

If your backyard drops toward a view, you already have the one thing a vanishing edge needs most. The rest comes down to engineering it correctly.

Wells Pools can walk your site, model the edge in 3D, and tell you honestly what the slope and soil will allow before you commit to anything. To find out what is possible on your lot, request a free quote or call (916) 638-8810.

The post How a Backyard Infinity Pool Works: The Engineering Behind the Vanishing Edge appeared first on Wells Pools.

Many features are also built into the pool structure, which makes them easier to plan during construction than to retrofit later. A few can still be added during a pool renovation, so an older pool is not out of the running.

Below are the pool water features homeowners request most, along with what each one actually does and what to plan for.

The Pool Water Features Homeowners Request Most

Some features are about drama, and others are about a quiet, steady sound. The right choice depends on the look you want and how much you plan to run it. Here are the most popular options.

1. Waterfalls

Waterfalls are the feature most people picture first. They range from natural rock formations to clean, modern stone edges, and the water can spill from a raised wall, a spa, or a planter. A grotto, which is a small cave tucked behind or beside the falling water, is a popular add-on for a more resort-like look.

2. Sheer descents

A sheer descent sends a smooth, wide sheet of water into the pool from a raised wall or spa edge. It reads as clean and architectural, so it suits modern and geometric pools well. You can run a single wide sheet or several narrower ones side by side. The effect changes a lot with width and drop height, so it is worth reviewing samples before deciding.

3. Bubblers

Bubblers sit in shallow water, usually on a tanning ledge, and push up a low, gentle dome of water. They are quiet, kid-friendly, and add motion without a big splash. Pair two of them on a sun shelf, and you get a soft, symmetrical look that works in almost any backyard style.

4. Deck jets

Deck jets, sometimes called laminar jets, shoot an arc of water from the deck into the pool. A laminar version produces a clear, ropelike stream that looks solid in the air, and many include LED lighting for nighttime color.

Most features like these run off the pool’s circulation system or a dedicated pump. Pairing them with a variable speed pump keeps the running cost low.

5. Spillover spas

A raised spa that spills into the pool is one of the most requested features, because it works two ways. You get a hot tub when you want one, and a constant, soft waterfall sound the rest of the time. The spillway edge can be a simple sheet or a tiled spout, and the spa height changes how the water sounds as it falls.

6. Scuppers and water bowls

Scuppers are spouts set into a raised wall that send streams or sheets into the pool. Water bowls do the same thing as a decorative basin, often with fire bowls placed nearby for contrast. Both add height and rhythm to the design, and they pair well with the kind of detailed stonework you see in luxury pool designs.

7. Rain curtains

A rain curtain drops thin streams of water from an overhead beam, arbor, or pergola into the pool below. It creates a wide, see-through wall of water you can sit behind or walk through, which makes it one of the more dramatic options. The streams can run in a straight line or a pattern, and LED lighting along the top adds color after dark.

Because a rain curtain needs an overhead structure to mount on, it works best when the pergola or beam is planned alongside the pool rather than added later.

8. Vanishing edge

A vanishing edge, also called an infinity edge, lets water flow over one wall and into a hidden catch basin below, so the surface looks like it meets the horizon. It is the feature of choice for homes with a view or a slope, since the disappearing edge draws the eye outward.

This one depends heavily on the site. The pool has to be engineered for the constant overflow and the basin that recirculates it, so a vanishing edge is far easier to build into a new pool than to add to an existing one.

Plan Your Pool Water Features With Wells Pools

The best time to plan a water feature is before the plumbing and electrical are finalized, since most features need dedicated lines and the right pump sized in from the start.

Wells Pools has spent over 40 years designing custom pools and water features across Greater Sacramento and Northern California, and uses 3D modeling so you can see the feature in your backyard before any work begins, whether you are adding one to a new pool or an existing build.

Call (916) 638-8810 or request a free quote to start planning your pool water features today.

The post Top 8 Pool Water Features Homeowners Ask for Most appeared first on Wells Pools.

Site prep, layout, and drainage are the stages that decide whether a pool holds up. Done right, the pool stays level, dry, and crack-free. Done poorly, you get shifting decks, standing water, and stress on the shell.

An inground pool interacts with soil and groundwater in ways an above-ground pool never does, so the prep matters more.

Here is how a careful inground pool contractor handles each stage.

What Site Prep Involves

Site prep is the first hands-on stage of the construction process. It sets the foundation for everything that follows.

Soil testing comes first

The ground under your pool carries the entire structure, so its makeup matters. A contractor or geotechnical engineer studies the soil for bearing capacity, density, and how much it moves with moisture.

Clay-heavy soil is the main concern. Aquatics International reports that highly expansive soils can undergo volume changes of up to 30 percent depending on moisture content.

Even small movement like that can crack a pool shell or break the plumbing. On this kind of soil, the structure may need extra reinforcement or a deeper foundation.

Locating utilities before digging

Before a shovel touches the ground, buried lines have to be marked. Gas, water, electrical, and sewer lines can run straight through a planned dig site.

In the United States, calling 811 triggers a free utility-locating service. Crews come out and flag the underground lines so excavation can avoid them. The step is required in most areas and usually needs a few business days of notice, so a good contractor schedules it early.

Clearing and access

The yard then gets cleared of plants, old concrete, and debris. Access is the part homeowners tend to forget. Excavators and trucks need a clear path into the yard, often eight feet wide or more.

If the only route is narrow or blocked, the contractor adjusts the approach, which can change both cost and timing. That is why access gets checked during the first site visit.

How an Inground Pool Contractor Plans the Layout

Layout is where the pool meets the property. Placement shapes how the pool looks, how the yard flows, and whether the build passes inspection.

A contractor weighs several factors at the same time:

• Setbacks from property lines, the house foundation, and any septic system, all defined by local code
• Sun exposure, since a sunny spot warms the water and slows algae growth
• Sightlines from the house, which make it easier to supervise swimmers
• Room left for decking and seating, plus any backyard design features you may add later
• The natural slope of the yard, which affects both drainage and leveling

Local codes are not optional. Setback rules and barrier requirements vary by city and county, and a layout that ignores them can stall at permitting. Catching these limits during design keeps the project moving.

Managing Drainage Around the Pool

Drainage protects the pool long after the crew leaves. Water has to move away from the shell, both on the surface and underground.

Surface drainage and deck slope

Rain and splash-out collect on the deck. A contractor grades the deck to slope away from the pool, usually about a quarter inch per foot, so water runs off instead of pooling. Standing water makes surfaces slippery and erodes the soil that supports the deck.

The wider yard gets graded too. The aim is to push runoff away from both the pool and the house. On flat or low lots, a French drain often carries that surface water to a safe discharge point.

Subsurface drainage and hydrostatic pressure

The bigger risk sits below ground. After heavy rain, groundwater builds up around and under the pool and pushes upward. This force is called hydrostatic pressure.

If that pressure climbs high enough while the pool is empty, the shell can crack or lift.

Aquatics International explains that groundwater higher than the lowest point of an inground pool will exert buoyant forces, and a shell not designed for it may float out of the ground.

Contractors plan for this in a few ways:

• A hydrostatic relief valve in the pool floor lets groundwater enter the pool to equalize pressure, working as a fail-safe
• A sump well near the deep end gives a place to monitor and pump down groundwater before any draining
• Subsurface drains and the right backfill move water away from the shell on high-water-table or clay sites

This is also why you should never fully drain an inground pool without professional guidance. The water inside helps hold the shell in place.

Why These Stages Matter

The visible pool is only as good as the work beneath it. Solid site prep keeps the structure level. Smart layout keeps it legal and usable. Good drainage keeps it dry through every wet season.

Most long-term pool problems start when these steps are rushed. Cracks, heaving decks, and shifting shells usually trace back to soil or water that was not handled at the start.

Choosing the right builder is the strongest protection you have.

Start Your Inground Pool the Right Way

For over 40 years, Wells Pools has built custom inground pools across Greater Sacramento and Northern California, handling site prep, layout, and drainage with the care a lasting pool demands. Every shell is backed by a lifetime guarantee that it stays leak-free for as long as you own your home.

Call (916) 638-8810 or request a free quote to start planning your inground pool today.

The post How an Inground Pool Contractor Handles Site Prep, Layout, and Drainage appeared first on Wells Pools.

Layout, budget, features, equipment, and yard conditions all shape how a pool works over the long term. Once the design is final, changes get harder and more expensive. So before you build, it pays to think through how the pool will be used and how it should sit in the yard you already have.

Decide What the Backyard Swimming Pool Needs to Do

Start with why you want the pool. That single choice guides the whole design.

A family pool needs shallow areas, wide steps, open swim space, and clear sightlines from the house. A pool built for entertaining should connect to seating, dining, and outdoor cooking. For exercise, the swim path matters more than decorative extras.

For relaxation, privacy and shade carry more weight. The type of pool you choose, whether inground or above ground, also follows from how you plan to use it.

Think long term too. Kids grow, hosting habits shift, and outdoor spaces change. A good plan fits how you live now and still works years from now.

Measure the Space Around the Pool, Not Just the Pool

Most homeowners start by asking how big a pool they can fit. The better question is how much backyard you still want once the pool is in.

A pool needs room around it to function. People have to walk safely, sit, get in and out of the water, supervise kids, and reach the equipment. If the pool swallows the yard, the space can feel cramped even when the pool itself looks great.

Deck space deserves the same attention. Too little makes the pool awkward to use. Too much can leave the yard feeling hot and empty. The right balance depends on the job the backyard has to do.

A family setup needs open room for movement and supervision, while an entertaining layout needs more space near the house for seating and food. A tight yard may call for built-in benches, slim planting beds, or a smarter backyard swimming pool shape to protect usable ground.

Traffic flow matters as well. A layout that blocks the natural path from the patio or kitchen gets frustrating fast.

Check the Yard Before Choosing a Design

The property has a major say in what is realistic. A few conditions matter more than the rest, and each one can change the design before it is even drawn.

Ground and exposure

• Slope, drainage, soil, tree roots, existing concrete, and underground utilities all affect the plan and the price.
• Sun exposure counts too. A pool in full afternoon sun may need nearby shade, while one under heavy trees means more cleaning and cover planning.

Access

• Construction equipment needs a clear way into the yard.
• If that route is narrow or blocked, the builder may have to change the approach, which can affect cost and timing. This is often the single deciding factor in a tight lot.

Privacy

• Neighbor sightlines, fencing, and window placement can all influence where the pool, spa, or lounge space should go.
• A small shift in position can make the whole backyard feel more comfortable.

This is where a professional site evaluation earns its keep.

Plan Pool Placement Before Features

It is tempting to start with the exciting parts like a spa or water feature. Placement should come first, because where the pool sits affects everything around it.

Position changes how much patio you keep, how people move through the yard, how private the pool feels, and how visible it is from inside the home.

Picture the main view from the kitchen or living room.

• If you will see the pool every day, its shape and placement should feel tied to the house. 
• If you host often, the pool should not cut off the main seating area. 
• If supervision matters, it should be easy to watch from where adults naturally gather.

Future plans belong in this step too. An outdoor kitchen, fire feature, pergola, or larger patio all need room. Even if those come later, reserving their space now prevents layout regret down the line.

Build the Budget Around the Whole Backyard

The pool is one line item in a larger total.

Final cost depends on the yard, design, equipment, finishes, and how the surrounding space gets completed. A simple pool in an easy yard will not price like a complex design with tough access or drainage work.

Before the estimate stage, rank what matters most. Pool size, a spa, efficient equipment, patio space, and evening lighting often compete for the same dollars. Sorting those priorities early makes it easier to adjust the plan later without losing what you care about.

Factor in permits and licensing while you are at it.

Choose Equipment With Daily Use in Mind

Equipment is easy to overlook because it stays out of sight. It still shapes how the pool feels to own.

Decide early where the equipment pad will go, how easy it is to reach, and how close it sits to seating. Poor placement can create noise or make routine service a hassle. Energy-efficient pumps, automation, heating, covers, and lighting all deserve a conversation before the design locks in, since they affect comfort, running costs, and upkeep.

Know Which Features Need Early Planning

Certain features are far easier to include from the start than to add later.

• A spa changes the pool layout, heating, plumbing, and controls. 
• A tanning ledge reshapes the shallow area and the usable swim space. 
• An automatic cover can influence the pool shape itself. 
• Water features and lighting need decisions made before the electrical and plumbing are set.

None of this means building everything at once. A solid plan can run in phases. What matters is that the later phases are mapped before the first one blocks them.

Understand Timing Before You Commit

Planning should start earlier than most homeowners expect.

Design, permits, scheduling, materials, inspections, and weather all influence the timeline, and HOA rules can add steps in some neighborhoods. Starting early gives you room to compare options instead of rushing as warm weather closes in.

Choosing the right pool builder helps here, because a good one will walk you through each phase of construction and give a realistic schedule rather than an overly polished one. Some stages depend on outside approvals, and a few delays are simply hard to control.

Final Thoughts

A backyard swimming pool is easier to build well when planning starts with real decisions, not guesswork.

Before you break ground, think through how the pool will be used, how much yard should stay open, and where the pool should sit. Budget, equipment, safety, and timing all belong in the conversation early.

For homeowners across Greater Sacramento and Northern California, Wells Pools reviews the yard, talks through design options, and plans the build around how you will actually use the space. Contact Wells Pools to request a consultation and take the first step toward a backyard swimming pool that fits your home and your long-term plans.

The post Backyard Swimming Pool Planning Guide: What to Know Before You Build appeared first on Wells Pools.

With that in mind, the small pool ideas below are grouped by the kind of yard you have, since a narrow side yard and a square patio call for very different designs.

Small Pool Ideas Grouped by the Yard You Have

A long, narrow yard

When the yard is long and slim, a linear shape is the natural fit. A plunge pool set parallel to the fence keeps a clear walkway along one side, and its straight edges make the narrow space look planned rather than squeezed.

This is the plunge pool Sacramento homeowners with long, narrow lots tend to ask for, because it uses the length they already have. Crisp geometric pools work especially well here, since the lines of the pool repeat the lines of the fence and the house.

A square yard off the back patio

A square yard has room in both directions, which makes it a good match for a spool. Because a spool combines a spa and a small pool in one shell, you get heated water for winter evenings and a cool swim in summer without building two separate features.

Another option is a small pool with a raised spa set into one corner. The raised wall gives the yard a second level to look at, and its coping doubles as extra seating when friends come over.

A yard overlooked by two-story neighbors

Many compact lots sit between taller homes, so privacy becomes part of the design. Placing the spa or the main seating area against the side with the fewest windows facing it makes a real difference. From there, a pergola over the lounging area or a row of upright planting along the fence can screen the view without shading the water.

A yard built for hosting

If the pool will mostly be used for gatherings, swimming room matters less than places to sit. A tanning ledge holds a couple of lounge chairs in water that is usually under a foot deep, and in-water benches or tables let guests stay in the pool while they talk. Of all the small pool ideas on this list, this one puts the most people in the water at once, and a shallow overall depth makes it the main gathering spot in the yard.

Where the Equipment Goes on a Small Lot

Equipment placement is the part of a small pool that most people forget to plan. On a large lot, the pump and filter sit out of sight at the far end of the yard. On a compact one, the equipment pad can end up near a bedroom window or right against the neighbor’s fence, so noise and service access both need thought early.

Modern equipment helps a lot here. Variable speed pumps run quietly at low settings, and they tend to last longer than older single speed pumps. As a Pentair Elite Dealer, we size energy-efficient pool equipment to the actual volume of a small pool, which keeps the pad itself compact as well.

Automation is worth considering on a small build too. With a control system, you can run the heater and lights from your phone, so nobody has to walk over to the equipment pad to warm up the spa. An automatic pool cover follows the same idea, since it opens and closes with a switch and rolls away at one end of the pool.

Keeping a Small Pool Safe When It Sits Close to the House

On a compact lot, the pool is often only a few steps from the back door. That closeness is part of the appeal, but it also means a young child can reach the water quickly. The CDC recommends a four-sided fence that separates the pool from the house and the rest of the yard, which takes some planning when space is tight.

In practice, a few layers work well together on a small lot:

• A self-closing, self-latching gate between the patio and the pool area.
• Alarms on any doors that open directly toward the water.
• An automatic cover that stays closed whenever nobody is swimming.
• An adult assigned to watch the water whenever kids are in it.

California law sets a floor as well. Under the state’s Swimming Pool Safety Act, a new pool or spa at a single-family home, or the remodel of an existing one, needs at least two drowning prevention features when the permit is issued, such as an enclosure, a safety pool cover or exit alarms on the doors that lead to the water.

Depth matters as well. Most plunge pools and spools are too shallow for diving, and the American Red Cross advises against entering headfirst unless a pool has a safe diving area. On a small pool, that usually means feet first every time.

A Small Pool Is Still a Full Build

Whichever of these small pool ideas fits your yard, the shell goes through the same stages as a large one, from excavation and steel to inspections and the interior finish. The difference is that every inch of the plan gets used, so small choices about step placement or bench depth carry more weight.

We build small pools in gunite, and a gunite pool can be formed to the exact outline of a tight yard instead of a factory shape.

The schedule is easier to plan around than most people assume. Our builds average 6 to 8 weeks from contract to swim, so a small pool started in the cooler months is usually ready before the heat sets in.

The post Small Pool Ideas for Compact Sacramento Valley Backyards appeared first on Wells Pools.