It's summer, which means it's time to swim. And it’s very disappointing when it’s so close to the reservoir. Therefore, it is not surprising that many owners of country houses have the idea of building a swimming pool in the garden with their own hands.
Don't think this is an impossible task. If you have a great desire, some experience in construction and the necessary tools, then it is not so difficult. Well, to make your work easier, we have prepared recommendations on how to make a pool with your own hands at the dacha.
Choosing a location for a pool and its size
To make it easier for you to decide on a place for a swimming pool, we offer a list of factors that must be taken into account:
- Water supply and drainage. By installing a pool near the house, for example, at the back, you will achieve several goals: simplify the water supply process, speed up maintenance and care of the pool. It will also be convenient if the recreation area is in one place.
- The soil. If possible, choose clay soil for construction. This way, you will avoid additional problems with waterproofing, because clay does not allow water to pass through. Well, how much easier is it to dig a pit under country pool in clay soil than in rocky soil, for example.
- Wind. If you do not have the financial and technical ability to build a canopy over the pool, then you will need to take into account the direction of the wind. The wind will bring garbage into the pool in any case, so it needs to be easier to catch. Determine such a place and install a pipe there to drain the water. Then the excess debris will go away along with the water.
- Groundwater. Experts' recommendations are to build a pool in a place where groundwater does not approach the ground closer than half a meter.
- Vegetation. The wind will already bring you a lot of trouble, so don’t add it to yourself with additional leaves from nearby bushes and trees. Also, additional difficulties will be caused by the roots of large trees, which can damage the integrity of the building.
Of course, in your yard you are the owner. But in such a labor-intensive task as building a swimming pool, it is better to follow the recommendations of specialists.
But as for length and width, there are no requirements. Only your desire and possibilities. But the depth should be considered very carefully: if you have children, then do not make the pool deeper than 1-2 meters; if you plan to jump from a tower, for example from a three-meter tower, then the depth should not be less than three meters.
Decorative pool - varieties of shapes and materials for construction
Swimming pools with unusual shapes look quite unusual. Of course, they require additional care, and they are more difficult to design, but how much more interesting they look than the usual rectangles, squares, ovals and circles.
When designing the shape of the pool, show your imagination! Move away from the generally accepted forms! Those who love something special will be interested in how to make a mini pool in the country with their own hands. Let's discuss what scrap materials you can use to build something like a swimming pool in your yard:
- Tire mini-pool. First, we look for a tire of the size we need. Tires from a combine or tractor have a suitable diameter. Trim one side panel to the treads, leaving the sides. The place for such a font should be level, clean, and not much larger than a tire. Fill the sand cushion and pour concrete to 15 cm. Install the tire. You can decorate it with brick or stone. Use after complete hardening.
- Mini-pool from the bathtub. A cast iron bathtub that has served you for many years can be turned into a mini pool for your dacha. If you choose a place in the shade, the bath and the water in it will not heat up so much. Although, considering the size, only children can splash in it, it is better if the water is always warm. You need to dig a pit under the bathtub and fill it with sand. Place the bathtub into the bowl and pour sand into the gaps, compacting it thoroughly.
- Gabion mesh products. Although gabions are used as fortifications to protect banks from erosion, resourceful owners also use these structures to build swimming pools. First you need, as in the previous options, to prepare the area for the pool. We lay gabion mesh and film on the concrete base to protect it from moisture.
- Containers. Not the most aesthetic option, but still interesting. A garbage, construction or shipping container can be turned into a hot tub simply by treating it with an anti-corrosion compound. Also check the container for integrity. Bury it to the required depth, and refine the sides.
Of course, you can simplify your task and buy a ready-made container for the pool. The frame metal structure is sold with a ladder, pump and cleaning system. Collect it, fill it with water and use it during the warm season. A plastic pool can also be ordered ready-made. It is not correct to say that this is a very simple option - after all, a polypropylene pool also requires concrete pouring, but the polymer guarantees the highest quality waterproofing. You can also use a polymer bowl only during the season.
Stationary pool - stages of work
As for permanent pools, the rest of the article will be devoted to this. These are the kind of pools that can be considered real.
Stationary pool There are several stages in the construction of a stationary concrete pool. Let's start, of course, with the preparatory work. Moreover, they will be needed much more than for the construction of the fonts described above.
Preparatory work
It is necessary to mark the territory of the summer cottage. Mark the required dimensions of the pool on the ground using pegs and rope or draw. Most likely, many will call digging a foundation pit the most labor-intensive process in construction. Ground work for the construction of a very large swimming pool will not be possible without special equipment. Add 50 cm on each side of the future pool when you dig. This is additional space for a sand bed and concrete.
Dig the walls and bottom with a slight slope. This way the structure will be more reliable, and the drainage system will work without problems.
Now we are preparing everything for concrete pouring
Compact the bottom and walls of the pit, add 30 cm of sand and lay waterproofing. The most inexpensive water insulators can be considered roofing felt and bitumen mass. Moreover, these materials deserve good feedback. Lay the roofing material in a layer over the entire bowl and three or four layers of bitumen on top.
Time to install the drain
Install the formwork and begin concrete work. Use high grade cement for work. Remove the formwork after the concrete has hardened. Apply the solution in a thick layer and be sure to reinforce it with mesh so that the pressure does not deform the walls. Reinforce the joints with wire. Now rub the entire surface with a solution of cement and water to prevent the appearance of microcracks. Before finishing your pool, apply waterproofing using PVC film, roofing material or special impregnating composition. By the way, a stationary pool that has lost its seal due to a crack can only be saved.
Now let's start finishing the pool
For this you can use:
- Ceramic tile. It does not deteriorate from being in water for a long time and is easy to wash. When laying, take into account the water pressure under which the coating will constantly be located. If you forget to leave a small gap between the tiles, the pressure will cause the tiles to crack over time. The grout should be elastic.
- PVC material. It is available in a wide range of colors, and thanks to its strength, a film pool becomes the most used and reliable. The airliner will last about seven years. The film is easy to clean and does not react with pool care chemicals.
- Marble. It is rarely used due to its high cost, but it certainly looks very rich.
- Glass mosaic. With its help you can create all kinds of patterns and ornaments. You can cover any corner with such fine material.
Laying mosaics (video)
Pool equipment
Install ladders, nozzles, flashlights, heater. An important additional equipment is a water purification filter. The filtration system prevents the appearance of unpleasant odors and the slippery deposits typical of swimming pools. A pump with a filter is installed next to the pool, and water is supplied by two pipes - for collecting and draining water. The water in the pool will be in constant circulation.
Pool equipment system An additional cleaner, but not the main one, is chlorine, bromine, and perhydrol. Although for the health and long service life of the structure, professionals recommend using a chemical, mechanical and electrophysical method of water purification in combination. You can, of course, periodically pump out all the water and replace it with new one, but how long will it take to heat up?
And speaking of heating, a comfortable temperature can be maintained even in not very favorable weather. The following will help with this: heat exchanger - hot water runs through pipes laid along the walls; solar installation – water heaters based on solar energy; special coating - a polymer material that allows the sun to pass through but does not release heat; boilers - you can heat water in them and pour it into the pool, or you can arrange a direct-flow system.
Consider the arrangement of the area around the pool. Use floor ceramics with an anti-slip effect.
Step-by-step instructions for building a pool (video)
What other materials can you use to build your own swimming pool?
No less common is a pool made of concrete blocks. This is a convenient and reliable way of construction. The blocks can withstand severe pressure and reduce construction time. Although the construction of such a pool also begins with a foundation pit and ends with finishing, time and money are significantly saved on the use of formwork and expensive technologies.
Today you can also often find home ponds built from polystyrene foam blocks. For a large pool, choose large blocks. First, the foundation is poured. Blocks are installed on the dried concrete, interconnected by grooves. The solution is poured into the finished walls, leaving space for all additional elements of the system. Choose a cladding method.
Expanded polystyrene blocks in pool construction The fastest and cheapest way to build a pool is an in-ground pool. Remove roots and stones from the pit, compact it, and fill it with sand. Use mineral wool or roofing felt as insulation. Lay out the geosubstrate and film. Simply dig the edges of the film into the ground and secure it with a stone edging.
Pool using film As you can see, it is not so difficult to build a pool yourself. Moreover, the time and effort spent are worth it - this will be the most popular place in your yard.
On a hot summer day while relaxing at the dacha, it is very pleasant to plunge into a cool body of water. It’s good if there is a pond or river nearby. And if not? This is where your own pool comes in handy. Does it need to be as big as the Sports Palace? No, the purpose of a country artificial pond is to have fun, and not to set swimming records. Find out about all the nuances that you need to know about in more detail later in the article.
What types of country pools are there?
Types of pools found in summer cottages:
- from scrap materials;
- frame;
- made of wood and film;
- made of polypropylene;
- from cinder blocks;
- made of concrete;
- made of composite plastic.
Which of these types to choose depends on the taste preferences of the owner and his experience in working with the materials used. The depth of a country artificial pond for adults usually does not exceed 1.5 m, and for swimming children - 0.5 m.
If the dacha plot has a slope, it is better to install the pool at its highest point. The location should not have trees or bushes in the immediate vicinity.
With a buried stationary option, the root system can damage the integrity of the structure and disrupt its waterproofing and tightness.
It is better to orient an artificial reservoir along the prevailing wind direction in the area. This arrangement will prevent dry leaves, grass and dust from getting into the water.
During the construction of a swimming pool on a summer cottage, stairs, gangways and ladders are provided. They will ensure safe entry and exit from the artificial reservoir from the outside and inside.
Additional attention should be paid to the system for filling the pool with water and emptying it. Typically, in large artificial reservoirs, automatic cleaning is used, when water is passed through a filter system in a closed cycle. This allows you to not change the water for a long time.
If engineering communications - water supply and sewerage - are connected to the dacha plot, you can use this fortunate circumstance. However, direct connection will require a project and permission from resource supply organizations. Unauthorized connection to these networks is unacceptable and may be punished with a large fine.
To supply power to pumps, filters, water heating devices and for lighting in the evening or at night, it is necessary to provide a power supply system.
Advice
It is better to entrust the connection of electrical equipment to specialists. This will protect against accidental electric shock both when connecting and during operation of the pool.
Frame
Frame pools include structures made of vertical posts and horizontal connecting strips installed at a certain pitch. They can be stationary or collapsible, that is, those that can be dismantled or moved to another location at any time.
The vertical posts of stationary pools are firmly pinched into the ground. In this case, either pre-dug pits or drilled wells are used. Racks can be in the form of metal pipes or rolled metal - a channel, an angle, an I-beam, concrete - of a round or rectangular section, wooden - in the form of logs or beams.
Pinching is done using concrete or cement-sand mortar. Before use, wooden elements must be treated with agents that prevent rotting, fungal damage and protect against insects that feed on wood. To reduce the flexibility of the racks when filling an artificial reservoir with a height of more than 50 cm, spacers are installed.
Horizontal planks are attached to the racks using bolts or self-tapping screws, creating either a solid board or a sparse one, if longitudinal gaps are left between the boards to save materials (in this case, the tensile strength of the film used is taken into account). Most often, horizontal planks are made from wooden edged boards.
In the simplest case, the inner bowl is lined with polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. There are films produced specifically for swimming pools that have a rich blue color. In a more expensive version, for long-term stationary operation, sheet propylene is used, the seams of which are welded with a conventional construction hairdryer. Exterior finishing can also be made of polymer film or plastic sidings, onto which some kind of pattern or coloring is applied for decorative purposes.
If you are installing a stationary outdoor pool, you should ensure that its bowl is protected during the cold season from precipitation in the form of rain and snow, as well as dirt and dust blown by the wind. This way, preparation for the start of operation will be kept to a minimum. As such protection, you can use a set of several wooden panels that completely cover the pool bowl with a polyethylene or polypropylene film laid on top of them.
Structurally, the pool cover is made different ways. This can be a separate building or an extension to the main house. Its manufacture is similar to the construction of a one-story building with a basement, resting on strip foundations.
The difference is that a cutout is made in the ceiling of the first floor for the pool bowl, and it itself is placed in the basement of the building or extension.
The finishing of such a pool and its enclosing structures is usually done with ceramic tiles, recreation areas are created, and sometimes a room is allocated for a bath or sauna.
Another option is a lightweight structure made of a metal (usually aluminum) profile, which is either covered with transparent fiberglass panels or covered with PVC film.
Pipes, including plastic ones used for plumbing, and metal profiles can be used as racks and upper chords of arches or trusses; in addition to the most common rolled products, box-shaped or “C”-shaped sections are allowed.
Horizontal and cross connections for rigidity are made in the form of metal or plastic strips.
First, an outdoor pool is installed, then a fencing structure is installed around it. To prevent the collapse of such a structure from the loads acting on it, before its manufacture, it is better to calculate the load-bearing capacity.
Structurally, a lightweight building over a pool can have a gable configuration with a pediment, a hipped one, a round one - in the form of a tent or a yurt, an arched or semi-arched system. Side guards can be:
- sliding;
- removable.
In some cases, only a covering in the form of a canopy or awning is installed, protecting from atmospheric influences in the form of rain or direct sunlight.
From scrap materials
This type of pool can be both very simple and one that requires a lot of effort and time.
The fastest and easiest way to make a pool is to adapt for this purpose some ready-made container that already has a bottom and walls. These could be old cast iron bathtubs, metal containers with an open top part. They can be installed either buried in the ground or installed directly on the ground. This type of pool is filled with water using a hose and drained by hand scooping or using a hand pump.
Sometimes used tires from giant wheels of heavy-duty vehicles are used as artificial reservoirs.
These pools are installed on a concrete base, buried in the ground to its own thickness (for the open version) or the height of the tire is added to it - for the option involving complete burial in the ground.
Once installed, this pool can be painted or finished in a variety of ways. It is very suitable for children's games and entertainment.
There are pools made from railway metal containers, with the upper part cut to the required height. Such pools can be completely or partially buried in the ground or simply installed on a planned earthen area.
For use along the walls and bottom of the pool, waterproofing is installed on the inside, and they themselves are decorated either with ceramic tiles laid on a cement-sand mortar or with polypropylene film.
Another option is to install a pool with a frame assembled from wooden pallets- pallets used for loading and transporting various goods. The configuration of such a pool depends on the area allocated for it.
The number of pallets needed to make a pool is four or more. And it itself can have a plan view from a simple square to more complex polygons with an even and odd number of sides. On a prepared base, preferably a flat concrete area, the required polygon is assembled from pallets and then tied together in 3 or 4 levels with plastic tapes, which perform the same function as metal hoops in a wooden barrel.
The bottom and walls of the resulting pool are lined with polypropylene film. Such a pool turns out to be collapsible.
It easily decomposes into component elements that can be stored indoors for the winter, transported to another site, etc. Sometimes you come across recommendations - to fold the walls of the pool from old plastic bottles. This advice seems very dubious for sanitary and hygienic reasons, since the required amount of this “material” required even for small pool
can only be collected at the nearest landfill.
Made from polypropylene
These pools are usually made in two ways.
For an artificial reservoir, a ready-made bowl made of cast propylene of the required depth and dimensions in plan, manufactured in a factory, is purchased. The owner is only required to prepare a flat area or pit (if the option is buried), and also landscape the surrounding area.
Factory-made bowls have limited dimensions to ensure their safe transportation. If the owner wishes to go beyond these dimensions, the pool can be independently welded from sheet polypropylene. At the same time, to ensure stability from the bursting loads of the water column of a filled pool, you can use both a frame system and the soil walls of an open pit.
- Sheets of propylene are cut in accordance with the configuration of the pool and welded together using a construction hair dryer.
- The advantages of polypropylene pools are that this material:
- has a dense, water-impermeable structure;
- resistant to aggressive atmospheric influences, including temperature changes;
- has low heat transfer, allowing you to keep water heated for a long time without exchanging temperature with the surrounding space;
- the flexibility and elasticity of polypropylene make it possible to form bowls of various configurations and shapes, including those with rounded edges and transitions of the walls into the bottom;
- welds well using a heat gun, ensuring reliable sealing.
Made from concrete
Despite the relatively high cost and labor intensity of construction, artificial reservoirs made of monolithic reinforced concrete are the most effective for long-term use. These types of pools can be used for decades, requiring only minimal cosmetic repairs and, in rare cases, replacement of decorative trim.
The cladding is usually ceramic tiles, painted in different colors, allowing installation in the form of patterns or geometric shapes. Also, using tiles in the pool, you can distinguish special zones, the boundaries of which are clearly visible both on the surface and under water.
At the first stage, after preparing and planning the site, as well as laying out the axes of the site, they begin to open a pit using manual labor or special earth-moving machines.
The bottom of the pit is also subject to leveling and leveling. For this, ordinary quartz sand is used. Rolled waterproofing is laid on top of the sand cushion and filled with hot bitumen. Next, the slab is concreted, reinforcing it with a mesh of metal rods. The grade of concrete must be no lower than M300...M450 in the old marking or from B22.5 to B35 in the new classification.
After 10…14 days, vertical formwork is installed on the bottom and concreting of the bowl walls begins. The thickness of the walls of a pool buried 1.5 m into the ground can be from 25 to 30 cm. It is better to reinforce the walls with a vertical mesh installed closer to the edge facing the pit. This is due to the fact that the vertical parts of the artificial reservoir are subject to lateral stresses from the water pressure, and the working fittings must be located on the side opposite to the applied force.
After concreting the walls and setting the concrete, internal waterproofing of the resulting bowl is performed. To do this, roll materials reinforced with fiberglass are used, rolling them overlapping along the bottom and wrapping them on the walls. Melted bitumen or special cold-curing mastics are used as glue.
Another method is to apply several layers of a special thick composition based on artificial rubber.
After polymerization, it turns into a seamless, durable rubber-like insert, up to 5 mm thick. When concreting, you must remember to install round foam plastic inserts with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the pipes in places where utilities are supplied.
Interruptions in concreting walls should not be allowed for more than 5 hours. In this case, the concrete will turn out to be layered with hairline cracks, which will compromise the waterproof properties and structural integrity of the pool.
The formwork can be inventory - plastic, metal, from special formwork plywood, or homemade - from wooden panels knocked together with your own hands.
To save money, you can use an unedged slab board as a formwork material.
Complex reinforcement elements - frames, meshes are made by knitting, when individual parts are tied together with soft knitting wire.
It is strictly not recommended to use electric arc and acetylene welding, since exposure to high temperatures reduces the tensile strength of reinforcing bars and weakens the load-bearing capacity of a reinforced concrete structure.
You can prepare concrete yourself using a concrete mixer installed directly on your summer cottage. But in order to prevent accidental errors with the proportions of the constituent ingredients, it is better to use purchased concrete delivered by special mixer trucks.
An additional bonus will be that all responsibility for low-quality concrete (if this happens) will be borne by its seller or supplier.
After dismantling and disassembling the formwork, voids are formed between the concrete and the ground wall of the pit, which are called reverse sinuses. They are covered with sand layer by layer up to the level of the ground surface, watered with water and compacted. Next, a concrete blind area is installed along the perimeter of the pool walls to a width of at least 0.5 m.
In order to avoid accidental injuries, it is lined with ceramic tiles with an anti-slip coating.
Cinder block was very often used in the restoration and construction of buildings in the 50s of the 20th century. Then it was completely replaced by silicate (white) brick, which became more widespread. Currently, this material has received a rebirth.
Cinder blocks are now most often used for the construction of secondary buildings - garages, warehouses, summer kitchens, fences. Artificial stones made from cinder concrete are sometimes better than brick for the following reasons:
- one cinder block, due to its increased size, immediately replaces several bricks, so masonry made from it is simpler than brick;
- the extensive internal voids of the cinder block improve its heat-shielding properties;
- technologies for the amateur production of cinder blocks have been developed.
The experience of using cinder blocks for constructing swimming pools at the dacha has shown itself to be positive. The strength of the walls made of this material turned out to be sufficient to withstand the lateral pressure of the poured water.
It should be noted that the masonry should not be made with cement-lime mortar, traditionally used for brick and stone masonry, but with cement-sand mortar. For better adhesion (gluing) of the solution to cinder blocks, plasticizer additives must be added to the solution. These can be polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVA), acrylic or styrene-based latexes.
Preparation work, excavation, as well as the installation of a horizontal slab - the bottom is carried out in the same way as it is prepared for a reinforced concrete monolithic pool. The walls are laid out to the required height with a thickness of half a cinder block, which is about 20 cm. Horizontal seams should be reinforced with a mesh of rods with a diameter of 6 mm.
Backfilling of the return sinuses should be done with a mixture of sand and crushed stone with very careful compaction.
If there are voids in them, one or more cinder concrete blocks under water pressure can be squeezed out of the vertical plane.
The leaked moisture will fall under the bottom and cause uneven subsidence of the soil at the base of the concrete slab with the formation of kinks and cracks in it. Such a pool will most likely be unsuitable for repair and will need to be disassembled and rebuilt.
After constructing the cinder block walls, inner surface the resulting bowl requires waterproofing and final finishing. Before using roll waterproofing, it is recommended to use deep penetration impregnation primer to further strengthen and protect cinder blocks and seams.
Other block materials are also used to make swimming pools, such as brick, concrete blocks, rubble and sawn natural stone. The laying of such materials is practically no different from the laying of cinder blocks.
When constructing such artificial reservoirs, it is not recommended to use silicate (white) bricks, as well as blocks or panels with gypsum binder. This is because they have poor weather resistance, especially when wet or saturated with water.
When operating an artificial reservoir made of cinder block, you need to carefully monitor the technical condition of its structure.
If cracks appear, immediately take measures to eliminate them by deep jointing and filling them with silicone mastic. Sometimes cracks can be disguised as tile seams, so inspections and repairs must be carried out regularly and very carefully. Then the pool will be usable for many years. Which will bring a lot of joy to the owner of the dacha and his family members.
Having your own body of water to plunge into on a hot day is the dream of almost every summer resident. To some it seems impracticable, but others get down to business and prove that nothing is impossible. To help the latter, we will tell you how to make a pool with your own hands and provide step-by-step instructions for this process.
Types of pools
- There are four types of pools suitable for use in the country:
inflatable. Almost everyone is familiar with them, since they have probably seen children splashing in such rubberized baths more than once. However, now manufacturers also produce large pools with a displacement of several tons.
- Among the advantages of this type, it is worth noting that it is cheap and easy to transport (when folded, they fit into the trunk of a car), and the disadvantages are fragility and susceptibility to mechanical damage;
frame. Prefabricated structures, easy to install, and therefore quite transportable. They last longer than inflatable models, but their price is also higher.
- Assembly and dismantling of such a pool does not cause difficulties, and they are less susceptible to mechanical damage. But like any mobile structure, frame pools are not durable;
propylene. They are a bowl made of polypropylene and filled with water. They are characterized by good waterproofing, long service life and ease of installation.
- foundation pits Pools poured from concrete in a pre-dug pit. Their construction is a rather labor-intensive process, but this pool on the site is difficult to damage, and with proper care it will last for decades.
If you undertake to build it yourself, you will succeed inexpensive pool , but at the same time durable and easy to use. It is difficult to make such a country pool with your own hands, but it is possible. We will tell you how later.
Choosing a pool location
When choosing a site to place a swimming pool, follow these recommendations:
- Locate the pool away from trees. Their roots can damage the waterproofing and create water leaks, and the foliage will add to the work of cleaning the bowl from debris;
- the groundwater level under the pool must exceed 1 meter, otherwise they may come to the surface, and together with the artificial one you will have a natural reservoir resembling a swamp;
- give preference to an area with clay soil. Clay does not allow moisture to pass through well and will provide additional waterproofing;
- take into account the wind rose. The wind carries debris, so build your pool so that you have access to an area where this debris will accumulate.
How to make a pool with your own hands?
And now the promised one step-by-step instruction, how to build a country pool with your own hands.
1. Develop a preliminary project in which you should take into account the location of the pool (we wrote about it above), the shape and size of the bowl and the supply of communications (water intake and drainage).
2. Mark boundaries. Using a tape measure, pegs and rope (twine), mark the area.
3. Dig a pit. Its length, width and depth should be about half a meter larger than the design ones, the walls should have an outward slope of 5-6°, and the bottom should be inclined to one side by 5°.
4. Level and compact the bottom, then fill it with a 30-centimeter layer of sand or crushed stone and lay two rows of roofing felt on top with bitumen mastic, thus providing waterproofing for your pool.
5. Make formwork from wooden beams and boards. To strengthen and strengthen the structure, use reinforcement: rods with a diameter of 4-8 mm are suitable.
6. Fill the hydraulic concrete, having previously installed the water supply pipe and drain. If there is no hydraulic concrete, use cement (grade C500) mixed with sand in a ratio of 2:1. When you remove the formwork, treat the walls with cement laitance, applying it with a brush.
7. Line the pool. PVC film for swimming pools, tiles, and mosaics are suitable.
All that remains is to landscape the remaining area, which our article “10 budget ideas to make your garden picturesque” will help you with, and enjoy your vacation.
We hope that with our instructions, making a pool with your own hands at the dacha will not be difficult. If you still doubt your capabilities, then take on a simpler frame version of a country pond:
A dacha is a place where we relax from the bustle of the city. Perhaps the most relaxing effect is water. By building a pool in your dacha, you “kill two birds with one stone”: you give your garden plot a luxurious look and enjoy swimming in clean water.
Peculiarities
The construction of the facility can be ordered from companies directly involved in this type of service, but solving the problem yourself will be much more interesting and cost-effective. Moreover, building a pool with your own hands is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.
Depending on service life there are temporary and permanent pools. Each of them has its own characteristics that must be taken into account when choosing one or another option. Stationary ones are durable structures that do not move from one place to another. Their bowl is a monolith made of concrete, brick, etc. Moving such an object will cause it to collapse.
The temporary pool can be removed when the summer season is over and used again for next year. This category includes inflatable pools and frame structures. Their service life is 2-4 years.
For a pool that will only be used in the summer, any location is suitable. Inflatable pools are a cheap option that does not require major changes to the site.
If you have decided on a stationary pool, before digging it, you need to choose the right location on the site. After all, it will not be possible to move such a structure after completing all the work on its creation.
There are several important points to consider:
- Trees. They shouldn't be near the pool for two reasons. The first is the root system, which negatively affects the waterproofing of the pool. The second is foliage that pollutes the water surface. If the leaves are not removed in time, the water “blooms” and the pool loses its attractiveness.
- Soil type. Ideal if your site has clay soil. It does not allow water to pass through, which is important if the waterproofing suddenly becomes damaged.
- Direction of the wind. The pool will one way or another become clogged with wind-blown debris. It will be nailed to a certain side. Therefore, make sure that this is where cleaning the pool is as convenient as possible and you can quickly remove the brought leaves, blades of grass, etc. This is also where you should place the drainage system.
- Water pipes. By placing the pool close to the water supply, you will ensure that filling the bowl is easy and quick.
If you decide to install frame pool, try to make sure that the surface allocated for it is absolutely flat. Potholes, irregularities, dents, remains from tree roots - all this should not exist. Ideally, the site is concreted, creating a smooth base for the pool.
Varieties
The monolithic pool is a one-piece sealed structure with its own drainage system. Created with your own hands, it will not only save money, but will also allow you to arrange the site in the best possible way.
The advantages of a monolithic structure are obvious. Compared to all possible pool options, monolithic is the most durable. Its service life exceeds 50 years. The structure is not afraid of temperature changes or mechanical stress. If the soil on the site is “problematic”, a monolithic pool will be the only option that can be used in the country.
Another advantage of a monolithic pool is its variety of shapes. The bowl can be made either of the correct shape or of an unusual one, which will look very impressive. Using different finishing materials (mosaic, tile, stone), you will turn the pool into a real masterpiece.
After the end of the swimming season, the water is drained and some of the equipment is removed. If the dacha is left without owners for the winter, nothing threatens the pool, it is simply impossible to steal it.
For beginners who do not have enough experience in the field of construction, making such an object will seem difficult. Certain financial costs will be required. It is not recommended to save money in this case, as this can cause breakdowns and repairs will cause serious losses. That's why we use only high-quality materials.
Construction is carried out step by step. Initially, a pit is dug, then a drainage system is created, and thermal insulation is installed. The structure is sealed and reinforced, and the bowl is poured. The last stage is finishing.
A monolithic pool can be created in two ways: pouring concrete into the formwork or using polystyrene foam blocks.
Let's consider the first option. Initially, we determine the size (large, medium, mini) and shape of the future pool. Of course, the larger the structure, the more building materials and funds will be required. The pit should be slightly larger than the intended dimensions, since the bottom and walls will take up about 50 cm of thickness.
A design for the pool's water supply and drainage system is being developed. This necessary condition proper functioning of the object.
To prevent the walls of the dug pit from crumbling, they are made at a slope of 5 degrees. After the pit is ready, we proceed to filling the bottom, compacting and waterproofing. Sand is poured onto the bottom (layer thickness - 15 cm), then crushed stone (thickness - 15 cm). The layers are carefully compacted, and a waterproofing double layer of roofing material is laid on them. Its edges should extend 20 cm onto the walls.
Before you start pouring the bowl, you need to make a metal frame structure from A3 class reinforcement. Only wire is used to fasten the reinforcement. Welding work is unacceptable, as the joints will rust over time. The distance between horizontal ones varies from 10 to 50 cm, vertical ones - from 20 to 30.
Reinforcement in one go is considered ideal. This method makes the structure as strong and stable as possible. However, in reality such a process is difficult to carry out. Therefore, the bottom of the bowl is poured first, and then the walls. It is important to note that the bottom should not be completely flat. It is necessary to make a slight slope of 3 degrees and attach a drain pipe to the lowest point of the pool.
The solution hardens in 1-1.5 weeks. To prevent cracks from appearing during the drying process, moisten the pool with water. While the pool is drying, you can start arranging communications: dig a trench for the drain pipe and lay it at an angle.
When pouring mortar into the walls, it is necessary to construct wooden formwork. It is advisable to pour the solution using special vibrating units. This is what will make the pool durable.
After the solution has dried, begin finishing the pool: The joints between the seams are sealed, the surface is covered with water-repellent impregnations. In order for the water in the pool to have a blue tint, PVC film of the appropriate color is used. This will not only make the pool incredibly beautiful, but will also provide additional sealing.
The final stage is the installation of equipment that will supply, purify and disinfect water. The pool can be decorated with beautiful and useful accessories: stairs, ladders, lighting, etc.
A pool can also be made using polystyrene foam blocks. The first stages are identical to those described above: digging a pit, creating drainage system, stretch the drain line, fill the bottom with concrete mortar.
After the bottom of the bowl has dried, polystyrene foam blocks are laid around its perimeter. The material is light and easy to put together. The height of the block is standard - 25 cm. Calculating the amount of consumables is simple: the height of the pool is divided by 25. This way we will find out how many rows it will take to build the walls of the bowl. The blocks have vertical holes for reinforcing bars. Concrete is poured after the reinforcement is installed
The walls, lined with blocks, are covered with a layer of plaster that has water-repellent properties. After it dries, begin finishing. Just like in the first case, you can use PVC film and tiles.
At the last stage, we install equipment that fills, cleans and disinfects the water in the pool. The pool can be made indoor if you build a canopy. To ensure the water is warm enough, use special equipment to heat it.
Construction using polystyrene foam blocks is much simpler than reinforcing both walls and bottom with concrete. However, it cannot be called economical.
Multi-level homemade pool not only does it look very impressive. Its walls look like steps, smoothly turning into the bottom. This design is ideal if there are children in the family. They will happily splash in the water, sitting on the steps at a safe depth.
After you have decided on the shape and number of levels of the pool, we begin to dig a foundation pit. We dig out the steps gradually. We dig the next step only after the previous one has been concreted. Be sure to do a test flood of water, which will let you know whether the structure is airtight.
Installation additional equipment not required. This is the simplest and cheapest option. Periodically, water is pumped out using submersible pump and changes to a fresh one.
A multi-level pool can be made not only from concrete. There are many materials for its creation. The polypropylene construction is no less reliable.
We choose a place for the future pool, carry out all the necessary marking activities and begin digging a pit. The bottom of the bowl is formed by several layers. The first is formed by geotextiles. Next comes crushed stone (layer thickness 30 cm). The layer of poured concrete should be 20 cm. Before pouring concrete, we create a mesh of reinforcement with cells of 25x25 cm. The mesh cannot be placed directly on the concrete. We put bricks under it.
Filling the bottom must be done at one time. A lot of concrete mixture will be required, so the ideal solution is to order the mixture in a mixer. We purchase polypropylene in different thicknesses: 5 mm and 8 mm. The first one is more flexible and bends easily. Therefore, we will use it to build a staircase. Polypropylene parts are connected using a welding extruder. Welding of the bottom is carried out in the pit itself.
When welding the walls to the bottom, make sure that they do not move. Use wooden beams for fixation. The ladder is attached last. Next with outside The structure is attached with stiffening ribs (we use eight-millimeter polypropylene), the distance between which is 60 cm. These 60 cm are filled with foam insulation.
After the pipeline system has been laid, the pool around the perimeter from the outside is poured with concrete in several stages. One stage - a layer 30 cm high. In this case, the formwork should be placed on both the outer and inner sides of the pool. Thus, polypropylene is not deformed by concrete. It is also necessary to gradually draw water into the bowl, the level of which will be equal in height to the level of the concrete layer located outside.
To decorate the finished pool, use available materials and objects: chairs with cozy pillows, sun loungers, beach umbrellas, etc.
The decorative pool is small in size. It is often compared to a pond. It is not difficult to make such an object yourself; the costs of its creation are minimal. It will become a real highlight of your summer cottage. And since you will refine and decorate it at your own discretion, the pond will be exclusive.
We choose a place for a decorative pond in such a way that the sun illuminates its surface only half the day. Too much sun will negatively affect the condition of the entire reservoir ecosystem. The shape of the pond and the design style of the site should be a single whole. The circle is ideal for landscapes in the English style, the oval is used to create Chinese and Japanese styles.
Initially, we dig a pit that matches the size and shape of your reservoir. Its minimum depth is 1 meter, area is 4 square meters. m. If you are making a pond from a bathtub, then the shape of the pool should match it. Don't despair if finished bowl you do not have. You can build a decorative pool of any shape, even the most incredible.
Please note that the bottom of the pit must be level: no stones, tree roots, or sharp objects. We use sand as a drainage layer. Next, a composite material is laid - a durable film. Ordinary polyethylene is not suitable for such needs, since it is not durable. Ideal options are polyvinyl chloride or butyl rubber. Butyl rubber has different thicknesses, which allows you to choose the optimal coating for your pond.
The edges of the film should extend beyond the edges of the pit so that they can be secured with large stones and covered with crushed stone or pebbles. A pond needs a device that circulates water. Otherwise, the water in your pond will quickly “bloom” and the pond will lose its attractiveness. The pond could use a lighting system that would make it stand out effectively at night.
To give the pond a natural and aesthetic appearance, the bottom is lined with beautiful stones. Along the perimeter we place plants (creeping ones and shrubs are ideal) and various decorative elements: garden figurines, plastic flower vases, lanterns.
In order for the pond to always be beautiful, it must be looked after. In the spring we carry out the first inspection of the reservoir. We check how the plants overwintered, whether the shore of the pond has crumbled, and remove leaves that have fallen in the fall. As the weather warms up, we add new plants to the area around the pond.
In summer, it is necessary to carefully monitor the water level in the pool, since evaporation occurs intensely during hot weather. The area adjacent to the pond is cleared of weeds. In the fall, we prepare the pond for winter: we remove the dried grass, and transfer the flowers in the pots to the warmth of the house.
Cleaning system
Setting up a swimming pool is impossible without a cleaning system. If you do not use a special device, the water in the pool will become dirty and an unpleasant odor will appear. A specific coating will appear on its surface.
Most a budget option– using a pump to pump out water. You completely drain the contaminated water and fill the pool with clean water. But in this method There is one drawback: it will take time for the water to warm up again.
You can install a special installation with a filter for cleaning. Two pipes are connected to the pump. One of them drains the water, the second supplies the purified and filtered water back into the pool. Filters can be sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth.
Chemical reagents are also used for cleaning and disinfection. These include chlorine, bromine, perhydrol, or products specifically designed for this purpose. Before use, be sure to read the instructions.
Clean wind-blown debris manually using a net.
Beautiful examples and options
A frame outdoor pool is a good solution for a summer cottage. It is durable, easy to assemble and dismantle. This is a budget-friendly and easy way to treat yourself and your family to a great outdoor experience. A distinctive feature of such a pool is its high sides, which does not always look aesthetically pleasing. But this gives unlimited scope for imagination to hide the sides and give the object a beautiful look.
Create a surface of light-colored stones around the pool. Flowers arranged in pots of different sizes will add a touch of greenery. At the same time, maintain the unity of the color scheme. Brown flowerpots look appropriate, in harmony with the outer lining of the pool and the wooden staircase.
If a frame pool is completely immersed in a pit, the perimeter is decorated with mosaics or stones, and landscaped with plants, you will get a very beautiful option for any summer cottage.
For a small frame pool, you can build a canopy. Thanks to this, you can enjoy swimming in any weather, even rainy weather. The resemblance to a tent looks especially interesting.
The frame does not have to be closed. Build a platform with a pool inside. Make the edges of the platform in the form of a lattice fence. Cover the lower part from prying eyes with an abundance of flowers and plants.
A swimming pool with glass walls looks especially impressive. Of course, creating it will require special knowledge and skills.
Illumination of various colors turns the pool into a fabulous and romantic place that you can enjoy even at night.
Outdoor pools amaze with the variety of forms. The violin pool will be appreciated by creative and imaginative people.
The July heat evokes thoughts of water, swimming, cool rivers and lakes. It is difficult to imagine a person who, in such weather, would refuse to have his own swimming pool for relaxation and cooling. Especially if he has a personal plot or works in the country.
However, not every yard has room for a large swimming pool, just as not every owner has the means to build it from scratch. Therefore, in this article we have collected 6 of the best modern ideas for a small but inexpensive pool that will turn this heat into your best relaxation partner.
Frame, inflatable and made by yourself - then you will get acquainted with the simplest and most economical options for swimming pools today, and also see them in 40 photos in the design of a summer house or a small courtyard!
1. Best choice of 2016 - frame pool (10 photos)
Modern frame pools are available in a wide range of sizes and prices. A simple children's version measuring 2.5 by 1.5 m and a volume of 1200 liters costs about $60 (1500 UAH or 4000 rubles).
A more spacious model with a volume of 6500 liters and a diameter of about 4 meters will cost twice as much. But you must admit: this is an inexpensive price to pay for such pleasure, especially when you consider the following advantages of frame pools:
- Quick and easy installation (the pool is folded, not inflated);
- Reliable, stainless metal frame;
- Dense walls made of heavy-duty PVC and polyester;
- Additional support for the walls with thick tapes;
- The presence of a drain valve that can be connected to a garden hose to carefully empty the pool of water;
- No need for maintenance (only keeping the surface clean and sometimes checking the water filter);
- Warranty (length depends on the manufacturer).
Many frame pool models come with a cover that will protect the pool from leaves and other debris on days or times when you won't be using it.
Since the pool can safely stand all summer, it is sometimes additionally equipped with a body or even a podium so that this entire structure fits beautifully into the design of your dacha or plot. Here's how some craftsmen design a frame pool (photo below):
2. Children’s and family inflatable pools - photo on site
Children's and "adult" inflatable pools are considered the main competitors of frame ones. They are easy to transport and relatively quick to install, although you will need to tinker with the pump for some time. The walls are also made of dense PVC and polyester + most manufacturers complete inflatable pools with a protective cover against debris.
Perhaps the main advantage is the cost of such pools - they are 1.5 times cheaper than frame ones. At the same time, they also have one serious drawback - the lack of water drainage. In addition, if the inflatable pool is large, you will need to purchase an additional electric pump.
Attached beautiful photos inflatable pools on personal plots.
3. Concrete pool to order or do it yourself
Of course, not everyone can do this option, and the cost will be decent, but there are craftsmen who managed to build concrete pool with your own hands. So we decided to include it in our list of inexpensive ideas.
The most problematic aspect in this matter is digging a hole. You can only handle this on your own if you are planning to build a small and shallow pool. Renting a crane today is extremely expensive, and it is only advisable when creating a luxurious swimming pool, and not just for relaxing in the heat.
Unlike frame and inflatable pools, the concrete version is stationary, but at the same time one of the highest quality and most durable. To make such a pool with your own hands, you usually use a mixture of concrete and sand, which is sprayed onto a metal frame. The general procedure is as follows:
- Dig a hole for the pool. Its depth and width should be 23-31 cm greater than the expected dimensions of your pool. This distance will be filled by the form.
- Install water supply. Typically this will include a drain pipe that will be located at the bottom of the pool, as well as all the necessary structure (pipes, filters and pumps) to ensure a safe flow of water through the pool. It is acceptable to use PVC pipes with a strong binding material.
- Cover the walls and bottom of the pool steel frame, which will maintain its shape and strength over a long period of operation.
- Spray the concrete and sand mixture onto the steel mesh using a powerful sprayer. The most popular mixture for building a pool today is Gunite (sprayed dry) or shotcrete(mixed with water). When applying, it is recommended to keep the sprayer nozzle at a distance of about 1 m from the steel mesh, direct the jet perpendicular to the surface and move it in a circular motion.
Then you just have to wait until the concrete hardens, after which you can begin decorating the walls of the pool with tiles or paint (optional).
Photos of finished projects on the topic of how to build a swimming pool with your own hands:
Also read:
4. Swimming pond or natural pool
Another inexpensive option permanent pool, which you can build with your own hands. Instead of concrete, gravel and clay will serve as walls, and natural aquatic plants (reeds, sedges, lilies, etc.) can serve as decorations.
The principle of building such a pond-pool is similar to creating a concrete pool, but can be done without a steel frame - just try to ensure that the walls have good slope, and were not perpendicular to the bottom. When the walls turn out to be perpendicular, then for stability they are covered with a layer of clay or bentonite.
It is believed that a natural pool can do without expensive filters and pumps if it is planted with natural plants. However, in order for them to truly purify the water, approximately 50% of the entire surface needs to be planted with them.
IN natural pool The water must be constantly circulated and aerated, otherwise it will stagnate and become filled with unpleasant-smelling bacteria. To direct the flow of water through the pool, flexible PVC pipes that are not afraid of cold weather are best suited. They are buried in the soil approximately 45 cm deep. For underwater aeration, you can use an air compressor and high-strength pipes that connect to a diffuser. Note that aeration devices consume little energy and should operate only 4-8 hours a day (depending on the size of the pool).
Also read: 
5. Metal containers as an inexpensive pool for a summer residence
Cargo containers and other large containers can easily serve you as a swimming pool for your garden or children's pool Location on. The only problem with their use is that some metal containers are not protected from rust. To solve the problem, they are painted or covered with another waterproof finishing material. If you don’t want to do this, then use galvanized tanks as a pool, which are not in danger of corrosion.
6. Simple ideas on how to make a swimming pool with your own hands (photo on the site)
Tarpaulin is another material that is widely used for creating simple DIY pools. All you need to do is make a reliable body from scrap materials and cover it with a tarpaulin. We invite you to look at the latest photos in this article and evaluate what a pool made of wooden pallets, haystacks or other materials looks like in a country house or garden.
Also read: 
Inexpensive pool for a yard or cottage: 6 ideas + 40 photos updated: March 12, 2017 by: Margarita Glushko
