An artificial pond can serve not only as an ideal place for relaxation, but also as a real decoration of the site. To build it, it is absolutely not necessary to invite specialists - you can make a small concrete bowl for the pool and reliable waterproofing for it yourself.
Choosing a location for the pool
Before starting construction, you should carefully consider the filling systems (it is more convenient to locate the reservoir closer to the water supply), cleaning and drainage of water. When choosing a place for a pool, you should be guided by the following rules:It should not be placed next to trees: their roots will tend to water and can damage the waterproofing; in addition, fallen leaves will fall into it, and the heating of water in the shaded area will be slow;
To prevent heaving of frozen wet soil from damaging the pool bowl, the pit should be placed in an area with the deepest groundwater; it is better if it is a clay area: clay does not allow water to pass through well, and if the waterproofing is partially damaged, the water from the pool will not drain so quickly;
To ensure that as little dust, dirt and fallen leaves as possible get into it, you should choose a place for it so that the prevailing direction of the wind goes along it; Moreover, the pipes for overflowing and purifying water should be located in the direction opposite to the direction of the wind - in this case, the accumulated dirt will be immediately drained.
It is not recommended to locate the pond next to large trees.
Advice. Maintenance of structures of complex shape, with many bends and angles, is much more difficult. In the absence of a high-quality filtration system, it is better to choose a rectangular or oval pool.
Optimal depth artificial reservoir - 105-170 cm. If there are children in the house, you should take care of their safety. To avoid accidents, the bathing area should be fenced off with a 50 cm deep mesh.
Preparing the pit. Waterproofing
The main stages of pool construction are:laying a cushion of sand and crushed stone or gravel (in areas with sandy or rocky soil you can do without it);
installation of polystyrene foam on the bottom of the pool to compensate for soil pressure;
double waterproofing of the bowl (on the outer and inner sides of the concrete structure);
installation of treatment and drainage systems;
installation of formwork and reinforcement;
pouring concrete;
applying a waterproofing film (concrete milk);
finishing of the building.
1. Marking the pit is done using pegs and nylon twine stretched between them. When calculating its width, the size of the formwork is taken into account. The depth of the pit should also be greater than planned: when calculating, the heights of sand and foam pads, concrete pouring and finishing should be taken into account.
Marking the area for the pool
2. To protect against soil shedding, the walls of the pit are made with a slight slope. After leveling the bottom and walls, all loose soil is removed from the pit. The soil in it should be spilled with water and compacted thoroughly.
3. Its bottom is covered with a 10-12 cm layer of sand, and then with crushed stone or gravel and compacted again.
Drainage cushion device
Advice. To ensure that as little dirt as possible accumulates in the pool, it should be located slightly above the surface of the ground. Otherwise, rainwater along with dirt will constantly fall into the tank.
4. If the design provides bottom water drainage, pipes for it should be laid before backfilling with crushed stone. The pit is made with a slight slope towards the drains. Such pipes are packaged in protective sleeves that protect them from freezing, laid at a slight slope of 5° and discharged into a pre-prepared pit. At the other end of the pipe is installed valve. For a small pool, one pipe is enough. In a construction with a larger area, one drain will not be enough: it is better to provide 2-3 of them.
6. The simplest waterproofers are roofing felt on bitumen mastic or PVC film (polyethylene film will collapse very quickly). The film, like roofing felt, is rolled out with an overlap of 15 centimeters. The waterproofing material is laid on top of a layer of crushed stone of at least in two layers. It should protrude beyond the edges of the pool by 15-20 cm.
Waterproofing and formwork installation
Suspended formwork for walls. Pouring concrete
The walls of the pool will be put under pressure not only by the heaving of the soil, but also by the weight of about ten tons of water. Therefore, the concrete frame should be constructed from high-quality cement brands from M300-350 from proven manufacturers with mandatory installation double layer reinforcement with 20 cm cells. To increase the service life, it is advisable to add an additive to it - plasticizer. The thickness of the concrete walls is 15-20 mm. When pouring, concrete should be laid gradually, layer by layer, and each of them should be thoroughly compacted by hand or using a vibrator.Important! If the pouring is done in layers and the subsequent seams are laid only after the previous one has hardened, a cold seam, which will be a problem area, a “weakness” in the concrete. When the soil moves, damage may occur at the joints. That's why It is advisable to fill the walls and bottom of the pool at the same time.
Cold seam
1. For simultaneous filling of the bottom and walls of the pool wall formwork can be “hanged”: lay boards across the pit on which the formwork will be attached. It is expanded with boards every 50 cm, and its joints are secured.
Pool formwork installation
2. First, the floor is poured a couple of centimeters above the bottom edge of the formwork. To prevent it from moving when pouring the walls, it should set slightly (setting time is no more than 4 hours). If, when immersing a reinforcement bar, it pushes through the concrete only 3-4 cm, you can begin to pour the walls. In this case, the mixture should fill the formwork evenly on all 4 sides.
3. If a concrete pump is used when pouring, it is set to minimum power. In order not to damage the not yet fully hardened floor, its hose is located parallel to the ground. When pouring, 5-10 minute pauses are periodically made to allow the concrete to vibrate and set.
4. If it is not possible to fill the walls and floor at the same time, the structure should be strengthened: fill the place where the cold seam forms with any elastic sealant: mastic, polymer, rubber cord, non-shrink cement or liquid glass. Before laying such compensation materials, the concrete surface must be thoroughly cleaned of contamination.
5. After removing the formwork, apply waterproofing film: cement mortar (concrete milk).
Application of waterproofing film
Penetrating waterproofing
Before finishing the pool walls, the concrete walls are waterproofed. For this, just as before pouring concrete, you can use PVC or roofing felt. A fairly effective, but more expensive method is the use of penetrating compounds such as Ceresite or Penotron, which are applied to slightly dry concrete. Processing is carried out in 2 layers.
Waterproofing with PVC film
Penetrating waterproofing coating
Water purification systems (pool filter)
Without filtration systems, the water in the pool will very quickly begin to emit an unpleasant odor, and its surface will become covered with a slippery coating. There are several ways to clean a pond:periodic pumping and use of heated water for watering beds, fruit bushes and trees; however, if water is completely removed from the pool, the new one will take a long time to heat up;
using filtration systems; The simplest devices are installations filled with coarse sand; a small pit is installed next to the pool for a pump equipped with such a filter; two pipes are installed into the pool: one for collecting water, the second for draining purified water; In this case, energy costs will be minimal; you will only have to spend money on purchasing a pumping station;
Pool water purification device
By using chemical reagents(used as an additional cleaning system); You can get rid of water blooms not only by chlorination or adding bromine, but by using inexpensive and environmentally friendly perhydrol.
Perehydrol for pool water purification
Advice. Without water, a concrete bowl can crack in cold weather, so it is not recommended to drain water from it for the winter. It is enough to remove only part of the water, and to compensate for the pressure of the ice on the walls of the pool, throw several plastic 5-liter bottles into the water, from which a weight is suspended. To prevent too much debris from accumulating in the pool over the winter, it can be covered with any covering material.
Pool finishing
You can decorate the bottom and walls of the pool with mosaic tiles on a mesh base, propylene coating or acrylic paint for pools with the addition of color. Mosaic tiles should only be glued with an adhesive that can withstand significant temperature changes. When using a mesh, the mosaic will adhere well to any bends.Advice. It is not advisable to use porous rubber-based paints for finishing the pool: it will be very difficult to wash them. Moreover, algae attach to such surfaces very quickly.
Acrylic enamel painting and tiling
Who among the owners of dachas or country cottages does not dream of having their own swimming pool on the site? And don’t think that this is an extremely expensive structure that requires a lot of effort during construction and operation. With minimal skills in working with building materials and some expenses, you can build an inexpensive pool.
In this article we will tell you how to make a pool at your dacha with your own hands from various materials (concrete, frame, film), and also demonstrate video and photos.
Pools may vary. For some, an inflatable container installed in a suitable place and filled with water from a hose will be enough. If you want to build a solid stationary reservoir that can last for many years, you will have to work.
First of all, you need to choose a suitable location. It should be kept away from beds and trees. The less debris that falls into the water, the less maintenance effort will be required. In addition, you need to think about the water supply and drainage. It is better to choose a simple shape of the pool, without sharp corners: in the form of an oval, circle, square or rectangle.
The simplest and cheapest way to install a pool is to cover the hole in the ground with a special film. However, this structure cannot be called reliable and durable. More often, owners prefer to build pools from concrete or polymer materials.
A frame pool is considered a fairly simple structure, quite suitable for independent construction. Its peculiarity is its design, which consists of a frame “skeleton” made of metal pipes. The bowl is lined with three layers of PVC film. Inside it has a special mesh made of nylon, which gives the material additional tensile strength. The metal frame holds the water pressure.
It is placed with some depression in the ground or simply on the surface. The area for the pool must be prepared: remove all vegetation, and level the bottom of the shallow pit and fill it with sand or gravel. In some cases, even a concrete pad is poured.
Then the entire surface is lined with heat and waterproofing. Penofol or folitep are best suited here. These are modern thermal insulation materials made of foamed polyethylene covered with aluminum foil. The mats are laid end to end and the seams are taped with construction tape.
After this, the pool itself is assembled according to the instructions included with the kit. The only necessary tool for the job is a screwdriver.
Concrete
When constructing a concrete pool, work also begins with digging a pit. In this case, the entire bowl is sunk into the ground. When calculating the dimensions of the pit, do not forget to add approximately 0.4 m to the wall thickness. The shape of the pit should follow the contours of the pool itself. The optimal depth can be considered 1.4 m. To make the recess as reliable as possible, its walls need to be given a slight slope to the outer sides, about 5°.
The finished pit of the desired shape must be carefully leveled, the soil compacted and a sand cushion about 30 cm thick laid on the bottom. Then the pool is waterproofed, everything is covered with a waterproofing material (roofing felt with bitumen mastic) in several layers and the formwork is installed. Liquid concrete is poured into the gap between the wooden panels and the earthen wall. Additionally, the walls are reinforced with double metal mesh. It simultaneously counteracts the water pressure in the pool and the ground pressure.
Note! Concrete grade – no less than M350.
The bottom of the future pool is also reinforced with mesh and filled with a layer of concrete of at least 20 cm. When the solution hardens, the formwork is removed and the entire surface is rubbed with “cement laitance” - a liquid solution of cement and water without adding sand. This process is also called ironing. It allows you to remove microcracks on the frozen surface and prevent their occurrence in the future.
At the final stage, the walls and floor of the pool bowl are finished with a decorative coating. Usually these are ceramic tiles. However, it is first necessary to install a ladder, nozzles, waterfalls and underwater lights, equipment that makes it easier to maintain the pool.
We invite you to see a photo report of the construction of a concrete pool:
Film pool
Due to its versatility of use, PVC film is widely used for arranging swimming pools. It is used:
- to create a pool in the ground;
- for arranging frame pools;
- for sealing the concrete base of the pool bowl;
- as a repair kit for an old pool.
Note! PVC film has a thickness of 0.5–2 mm. The thinnest one is suitable only for small pools with minimal load. It is best to use a film no thinner than 1.5 mm with a reinforcing layer of fabric.
Pool in the ground
If you want to make a pool quickly and relatively inexpensively, then in this case you can dig a pit with gently sloping walls, which will be the base of the pool. Carefully remove plant roots and compact the soil. Make sure that there are no sharp stones left anywhere, as they can damage the canvas.
The entire bottom of the pool is covered with sifted sand, in a layer of at least 3 cm, and leveled. You can lay a layer of mineral wool as a thermal insulation material, but it is better to spread roofing material, as it is not afraid of moisture. Spread a non-woven cloth over this cake and only then a film. After this, you can weld the seams.
Note! Before you start welding the seams, you need to practice on scraps of material so as not to spoil the fabric intended for sealing the pool.
In order to secure the edges of the sheet, you can use a special mounting angle to which the film is welded. A simpler option is to dig in the edges of the film. In this case, a decorative stone edging is often made around the pool.
Concrete pool
We will not dwell in detail on creating the design of the pool itself - it should be a reinforced container. The main advantage of using PVC film is that it does not require waterproofing. If the surface is not perfectly smooth, then it would be correct to use a substrate, which can be geotextiles or the same roofing felt. The actions with the film are similar when arranging a pool in the ground.
All that remains is to choose a method for attaching the film to the edges of the pool (it is better if it is a special mounting corner) and you can use the product.
Repairing an old swimming pool
It is no secret that a permanent pool can lose its tightness or even crack over time. If the crack is constantly expanding, then no sealing, even applying liquid rubber, will help. In this case, you can, just like for a concrete pool, use PVC film, having previously sealed the cracks and leveled the base.
Polypropylene
A polypropylene pool also requires a pit and pouring a concrete bowl. The polymer allows you to solve the main problem when constructing swimming pools - providing reliable waterproofing. Polypropylene is an extremely durable material and can take any shape. Pools from it are made in two ways:
- buy a ready-made bowl of the desired size and shape;
- sheet polypropylene is purchased and a bowl is made from it.
Note! The cost of both methods is approximately the same.
Welding of sheets is carried out using a thermal welding machine - an extruder.
After installing the polypropylene bowl and installing all communications, concrete is poured on top again and decorative material is laid.
It is polypropylene pools that are most suitable for installation in a summer cottage. They are not afraid of temperature changes and weather vagaries.
Video
The full range of work on installing a polypropylene pool is presented below:
See how PVC film for swimming pools is welded:
Photo
Below in the photo you can see various options for the construction and design of a pool:
How to make a pool with your own hands - learn the 4 stages of construction: site requirements + 3 types of structures + 5 components of the pool walls + bonus - 3 best design ideas.
Are you tired of relaxing at your dacha and dreaming of Turkey or Egypt, for which you don’t have enough money or time?
Build your own swimming pool and add a touch of exclusivity to your holiday.
You can feel like a wealthy person with the help of simple things. Having your own pool at the dacha brings a lot of pleasure and gives your vacation a different status.
Worried about your own health? Go swimming. A swimming pool is not only an indicator of status. This is also the place where your children will relax and where your parents will keep themselves in good shape.
Don't worry that you don't know how to make a swimming pool at your dacha, in a bathhouse or sauna, in the courtyard of a private house. The article contains all the information you need.
Take some of your time, study the theory, get inspired by the best designs - get truly valuable advice.
How to make a pool with your own hands?
At first glance, the reader is given an impossible task - to make a pool with his own hands. But not everything is as complicated as it might seem.
With proper preparation, you can build an exclusive pond within a few months that will last for many years.
Why do you need to build a pool yourself, rather than entrust it to intermediaries?
- First of all, this is a significant saving.
- You will study theoretical material and know how to make a truly high-quality pool.
- You will be able to control every detail of the process, right down to the design.
- And most importantly, in the end you will be able to create a comfortable vacation spot that you will be truly proud of.
It's time to start a concrete plan for design and further construction!
How to make a pool in a bathhouse or at your summer cottage: 4 stages
Stage No. 1: Determine the place where you should build a pool.
The first step is the most responsible and important; the future fate of the project depends on it. To correctly determine the location for a pool, you need to have some knowledge of geology.
The best base for a pool is sandy soil with clay admixtures.
Why is it worth making a pool on clay soil?
- Clay serves as additional waterproofing.
- This type of soil lends itself better to grader work and is one of the most stable. You can be sure that one day the bottom of the reservoir will not crack.
- Protection from high levels of ground moisture. Waterproofing allows you to protect the concrete base from the influence of water, which will create a suitable microclimate for the long-term service of the pool.
Also, when choosing a site, pay attention to the following secondary factors:
| Factor | Required indicator |
|---|---|
Rose of Wind | The pool should be made in a place where there are no direct wind currents. For example, if you have a free area behind your house and it is surrounded by a fence, this is a suitable area. |
Sunny side | If the pool is equipped with an artificial heating system, this issue ceases to be relevant. But in the case when you rely on the sun's rays, it is more logical to do it in a bright area where there are no trees or other obstacles to high-quality lighting. |
Safety | If the depth of the reservoir is more than 1.5 meters and you have small children, you need to take care of their safety. Make a small fence around the site. |
And now you have found a suitable location where you can make a pool: ideal soil, high light, windless side of the site. Obviously, if you decide to make a structure indoors, you skip this point.
It's time to start practical work.
Stage No. 2: Designing the pool, working on the foundation pit.
For proper design, you need to know the main types of pool designs:
Is it difficult for you to decide on a suitable design? The main advice when choosing a pool type is to decide on the purpose:
- If your goal is to learn to swim, there is only one option - a stationary pool.
- An inflatable structure is suitable for children's entertainment in the hot season, as it is easy to install and safer due to its elastic base.
- A foam party with friends requires more space than regular children's entertainment - a frame pool is ideal for a small group of people to relax in the summer.
The most versatile option is a stationary pool. But it is worth considering some details, namely the design of the bowl:
The best and most reliable option is a stationary pool with a concrete bowl.
How to make a pool yourself: designing a pit
After choosing, it is worth marking the plan of the pit for the bowl. In the case of concrete bottom laying, you can think freely in terms of size.
For example, you had a desire to build a pool with a length of 8, a width of 5 and a depth of 2.5 m. If the question was about installing an already purchased polypropylene bowl, the size of the pit would depend entirely on its parameters.
The concrete bowl gives freedom of design, which is an important advantage.
How to make a pit? Step by step guide.
A very important point is the correct marking of the area for technical work. Use flags, placing them along the contour of the future pool. The walls of the pit should have a slight slope to avoid ground collapses.
Important! Consider the thickness of the wall cladding (sand, concrete, waterproofing).
When planning, take this important factor into account and expand the initial contours by 15 - 30 cm.
Also pay attention to the future drainage system, if it will be bottom and provides for a pipe outlet - think about this in advance.
Usually, this problem is solved by a slight bottom slope and proper planning of the drainage system.
Separately, it is worth considering laying the bottom of the pit.
All actions are motivated by maximum waterproofing of the pool, since it is impossible to be completely confident in the complete solidity of the structure.
Of course, a concrete bowl is very reliable, but still additional safety measures will not be superfluous:
- Primary waterproofing is soil compaction. After the main earthworks, it is worth doing the initial compaction of the walls and bottom.
- The second stage is to fill the bottom with sand and gravel. Sand layer – 15–20 cm + 10 cm of gravel.
After completing all the excavation work, it is worth smoothly moving on to pouring the main layer of the bowl.
Stage No. 3: How to make a pool: forming a bowl.
Time to move on to the most difficult stage - the correct formation of the pool bowl.
To begin with, we should consider the general plan for constructing such structures. If you are sure that it is enough to fill the walls with concrete and the bowl will acquire ideal waterproofing and strength, this is a little inconsistent with reality.
Everything is much more complicated, which is why it is necessary to consider the structure of the pool walls in more detail:
| Component | Purpose, rules for constructing a layer |
|---|---|
Compacted soil, crushed stone and sand | The main goal is to build the correct base and drainage layer under the remaining components of the waterproofing membrane. |
Lean concrete with reinforcement | 80 mm of concrete forms an initial barrier to water. The solution must be prepared based on the characteristics of the soil. More precisely, you should pay attention to the percentage of moisture. The use of reinforced mesh is mandatory. |
Waterproofing | There are a lot of composition options; polymer materials are best suited, from PVC film to polypropylene boards. |
Base – 20 cm layer of concrete | The reinforced concrete layer should become a solid foundation for the entire structure. It should be poured at the same time to avoid the formation of cold seams - places where concrete meets from earlier and later pouring. |
Tile finish or polypropylene bowl | The last layer is the tiled finish. It has a number of advantages compared to a polypropylene bowl. You just have to lay the tiles with waterproofing adhesive and carefully process the seams. |
Stage 4: Home stretch – landscape design.
All that remains is to create a recreation area.How to choose the right landscape solution for a swimming pool? A difficult question, because there are a lot of ideas for original design. You can see the best of them below.
1) “Green frame”
Interesting approach to design, perfect for floristry lovers.
If your goal is to relax in the countryside from the bustle of the city, then choosing a better option is simply impossible. The difficulty lies in constantly maintaining the condition of the lawn.
The disadvantages of this solution are seasonality. You will not be able to maintain a constant microclimate near the pool. But we must not forget about the beauty that you will receive with the onset of spring!
2) “Concrete jungle”
The main idea of the design is to make the place comfortable and convenient. A canopy allows you to create your own special microclimate, raise or lower the temperature, and protect from the wind.
The shore is tiled, the main focus should be on the pool, all other elements of the landscape are minimalist.
The name is chosen in accordance with maximum convenience and practicality, which evokes an urban atmosphere.
3) "Zen"
The design is influenced by oriental style. Its features include:
Peace.
All details are subject to the ideology of calm. Some monotony is diluted with a pleasant glow and plants.
Individuality.
This pool is ideal for comfortable relaxation - it is separated from the outside world.
The implementation of this design option requires large-scale investments, which is why it is not suitable for everyone. But if you have the opportunity to make a financial injection into your comfort, do it.
4) “Swimming pool in the bathhouse”
But when you are thinking about how to make a pool in a bathhouse, the main design option is decor with mosaics or tiles.
The decision is up to you - to build an entire composition or limit yourself to a single pool.
The demonstrated design options give a reason to think about your own project and evaluate it from a different perspective.
Making a pool with your own hands is not at all difficult! The main thing is to approach it wisely.
Watch the video and learn from the mistakes of others so as not to make your own:
Did you find out how to make a pool yourself. Is it worth taking on such a complex project? That's another question. If you are confident in your strengths and capabilities, get up from your chair and start moving towards your dreams.
Your standard of living is determined not only by the number of bills in your wallet, but also by the ability to use your skills in the right direction.
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What could be better than a wonderful summer holiday on the shore of a lake or river? It is especially pleasant when such a body of water is located in close proximity to the house. Building a swimming pool on your own country plot is a fairly simple task and you can do it yourself, although at first glance it seems that this is almost impossible.
First of all, it is worth determining the ideal place to place the pool. Whatever site is chosen, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of connecting the reservoir to utilities - water supply and drainage. Plus, if desired, lighting, a fountain or a small waterfall. This means that you will have to connect to the electricity supply.
What to consider when choosing a location
- Will the root system of the plants be damaged?
- Distance from the “source” to the pool. It is clear that it should be minimal. This will reduce the amount of work and material costs.
Determining the location is simply impossible without preliminary calculation of the structures of the future reservoir. You can build a frame pool, you can build a foundation pit or a composite one.
You should prepare the following set of tools in advance:
- Roulette;
- Building level;
- Cord or rope;
- Stones of various sizes;
- Special small stakes;
- Wire for reinforcement;
- Mesh based on steel wire;
- Boards;
- Valve that shuts off the water;
- Nails and screws with a special anti-rust coating;
- Sufficient supply of sand and cement;
- Waterproofing material;
- Shovel;
- A block suitable for manual compaction.
Speaking in general terms, the instructions for building a swimming pool at the dacha look like this:
Place, area and markings
The exact area, as well as the shape of the future reservoir, is determined. The dimensions depend on how many people will constantly use the pond. A large family needs a fairly spacious structure. Practice has shown that the optimal depth of the pool varies from 120 to 180 centimeters, then the length and width can be 400. This is true for an adult. For children - no more than 0.8 m. If we are talking about a dacha, where literally every centimeter counts, then any advice will be superfluous - everyone decides for themselves with the dimensions of the reservoir.
It is necessary to find the most suitable place for a pool on the site. The space must be open, without trees nearby. Trees are the reason that the pool will always have fairly cool water with fallen leaves floating in it. Of course, you cannot locate the pool in low-lying areas, as this will lead to water pollution from rain flows.
Using a tape measure, the construction site is marked, the dimensions of which in all directions should be 50 centimeters larger than the dimensions of the future reservoir. The boundaries are clearly marked with stakes on which a rope is stretched. The fertile layer of soil from the marked area must be completely removed. At the next stage, a pit of the required depth is dug under the concrete pool. It is necessary to ensure that the walls of the pit are perfectly smooth, and the bottom is about 30 centimeters lower than the desired depth. The bottom, in this case, should have some slope.
Drainage pit, formwork and concreting
The construction of any pool implies that a layer is laid on the bottom, the thickness of which is from 20 to 30 centimeters. Each of the laid layers is carefully compacted, after which waterproofing materials are laid on top. Bituminous roofing felt can be considered a fairly good option, characterized not only by reliability and practicality, but also by low cost.
But if you think about the durability of the structure, it is better to use special membranes. With such a cloth you can cover the entire pit at once, which will eliminate the need to seal the joints of the strips. Stones are placed on the roofing felt, and on top of them are metal rods or steel (plastic) reinforcing mesh.
There is a need not only for a pit, but also for a specialized drainage pit, the depth of which must exceed the depth of the main reservoir. A special drain pipe is placed in the pit, the end of which is located in the pool, after which it is equipped with a valve that makes it possible to turn off the water. The drainage pit is covered with a fairly thick layer of gravel. Since only dirty water will flow into it, and not wastewater from the sewer, there are no special requirements for its design. Then a skimmer and overflow system is installed to purify the water.
Reinforcement bars are placed along the entire perimeter of the reservoir, maintaining a step of 0.3 meters. The distance from the edge is 5 centimeters. The rods must be fastened with wire. Please note that the use of a welding machine is not allowed. Overheating of the metal reduces the strength of the mesh and promotes the development of corrosion. Therefore - only knitting rods. The boards are used to make formwork wooden panels. They need to be installed inside the pit by first measuring 15 centimeters from the earth wall.
Although it is more effective to install a permanent structure made of polystyrene foam boards. In addition to the fact that the material is waterproof, it also serves as a “mechanical” protection for the bowl, since soil movements can lead, if not to deformation of the concrete, then to the appearance of cracks in it. Such foresight will eliminate the possible repair of the reservoir every spring.
Pool concreting is carried out using. Taking into account the capacity and mass of water, the grade of concrete is selected as for a monolithic foundation - no less than M300. Therefore, the cement is “400” or “500”. The mixture is poured out as slowly as possible. The voids that are between the ground and the installed formwork are filled with layers of mortar. After loading concrete, it must be compacted by expelling air from its structure. In practice, it is enough to pierce the mass with a reinforcing pin over the entire area of the bowl.
After the concrete mixture has completely dried, you can proceed directly with the installation work.
Concrete, like any material, partially absorbs moisture. If it is prepared on site, then it is advisable to introduce special additives into the mixture. If purchased, it must be in the “hydrophobic” category. Although it costs a little more, you will have to repair the bowl less often.
In order to make the bottom of the pool as similar as possible to an ordinary body of water, it is recommended to use clean river sand. A ten-centimeter layer will be quite enough.
Features of frame-type pools
Frame-type pools can be constructed from wood, using aluminum or tin sheets for internal cladding. Of course, aluminum is a much more reliable and aesthetic option. In the process of creating the lower and upper trims, pine beams are used, while for the intermediate part you can use any thick board. Giving the structure sufficient rigidity is done with the help of braces, the basis of which is also made up of strong boards.
The main advantage of a frame pool lies in the fact that it can be dismantled without problems during the cold season. Changing the water inside the pool is also not difficult. A flexible garden hose is attached to the bottom of the tank, which makes it possible to use waste water to water garden plants or a lawn.
During the construction of a pool, it is necessary to use a sealant, which can even be used as an ordinary polyethylene film. The wood is necessarily treated with a component that promotes resistance to the aquatic environment. The price of a frame pool is minimal, but it has a fairly solid appearance and can fit into any landscape.
Interestingly, to create a pool with your own hands, it is quite possible to use ordinary PVC film. This is one of the most modern materials, which is characterized by significant operational and external parameters. The film is not afraid of constant use in an aquatic environment, does not allow liquid to pass through, and therefore makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of bowls. Surprisingly, even the presence of cracks in the bowl does not prevent the film from retaining the entire volume of water. The use of film is allowed both during the reconstruction of an old pool and during the construction of a new water reservoir that does not involve excavation.
All parts of the film are easily attached to each other using temperature welding, thereby creating a very strong bowl. The pool is installed on a pre-prepared base, after which it is rigidly fixed with a frame made of boards.
A fairly popular option for a homemade country pool is a pool based on fiberglass. This material is extremely difficult to break; it does not require any additional coating. The downside is that a fiberglass pool requires all communications. A concrete base is used as a pedestal for installation, which is characterized by maximum strength.
If we are talking about a small area, then it is better to install an industrial pool - an inflatable one. The price of such products depends on their shape, linear dimensions, manufacturer and starts from 1,650 rubles. All construction work will be limited to cleaning the area and leveling the allocated area. Filling/draining water can be done with a regular garden hose. By the way, only “spot” repairs will be needed if there is a puncture. This is another “plus”, since it won’t take much time to repair the damage.
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In summer it is always nice to swim in cool water. However, it may not always be possible to go to a river or lake. In this case, the best solution would be to build a swimming pool with your own hands at the dacha or on the territory of a private house. So, you will always have your own body of water at hand, near which you can have a great time and relax. In this article we will look at how to build a swimming pool with your own hands.
Features and types of pools
There are many variations on the theme of pools for a summer house or country house. But they can be conceptually divided into several main types.
Inflatable pools. Let's start with the simplest option. Its main advantage is its low cost and ease of installation. In addition, this model is mobile.
When packed and assembled, it can easily fit into the trunk of a car. This means that you can take it with you outdoors, use it for a bathhouse, or simply install this pool in your house with your own hands without any problems.
Among modern models in this category you can find containers of various sizes- from mini-pools for summer cottages like children’s “paddling pools” to large inflatable structures that are designed for 10 tons of water or more.
The disadvantages primarily include fragility of inflatable pools: They wear out in just a few years. And also one cannot help but mention their vulnerability to various types of mechanical influences.
Frame pools
They are also quite simple designs. Their main advantages include mobility and high installation speed, which, in principle, is characteristic of any prefabricated structures. At the same time, they are more resistant to mechanical damage, unlike inflatable ones. However, an inflatable pool will cost owners much less than a frame one. At the same time, the service life of these pools is, by and large, also limited, like every mobile structure.
Portable swimming pools for saunas
These structures consist of a PVC cover, walls and bottom. Taking into account the depth, they can simply be located on a flat surface - depth up to 0.8 m, partially - up to 1.3 meters, or completely (more than 1.6 m) deep into the ground.
Their the shape can be absolutely any, but, as a rule, there is an oval, round, figure-eight shape. If these structures have a square or rectangular shape, then their corners are certainly rounded.
Such pools are good because they easy to install(especially those that don’t need to be deepened) and easy to connect. Their disadvantage is the tightness of the connecting seams. However, if you purchase a bath pool from a trusted company, it will serve you well for many years.
Stationary pools
We need to start with the obvious disadvantages of these designs: of all varieties, they are the most expensive- in terms of not only the construction of the pool, but also its further maintenance.
But that's where all the shortcomings end. Since stationary outdoor pools are fundamental structure, so to speak, for centuries.
Stationary pools can have a concrete bowl or a ready-made one. A concrete bowl allows the owner to build any kind of pool at home, even the most bizarre shape. At the same time, pool bowls made of composite materials greatly facilitate the process of arranging a pool on the site.
Gallery: swimming pool at the dacha (25 photos)
Choosing a location and optimal size
Since it is the stationary pool that is considered “real,” then in the future the conversation will focus on this design. So, when you have decided on the type, you need to think about the size and installation location of the artificial reservoir itself. For the most part, the choice of location will depend on the wishes of the owner. As a rule, a pool is installed close to the recreation area, near the bathhouse, behind the house. But when choosing a location, certain factors must be taken into account:
- The presence of nearby vegetation. It is advisable that there are no bushes, much less trees, near the reservoir. Plants are constantly drawn to moisture, and their root system is very strong and can easily break through a concrete thicket.
- Direction of the wind. Since this garden pool is outdoors, there is a high probability of all kinds of debris getting into it. To ensure that while swimming you do not encounter dry leaves, scraps of paper, etc., it is better if the pool is located in an area protected from the prevailing wind direction.
- Priming. A lot depends on the properties of the soil. To begin with, it is desirable that the soil be clayey. In this case, you will additionally receive natural waterproofing. And also during the construction of a stationary bowl, you will need to dig a pit. When the soil at the chosen location is rocky, then excavation work can be very labor-intensive and complex, especially if you build a pool with your own hands in the country without the help of special equipment.
When it comes to the size of the future reservoir, in this case there are no special requirements. It will depend according to your preferences and availability of free space. For example, for swimming in one lane, a width of 2.5 m and a length of four meters is sufficient. When two paths are planned, the width can be increased to 5 meters.
The optimal depth of the reservoir is 1.5 meters. But even in this case, everything depends on the purposes for which you are building it. When you have children and the main purpose of the pool is to entertain them, you don’t need to make it very deep. And vice versa, when you are a diving enthusiast, depth plays an important role.
Construction stages
By and large, the process of building a swimming pool at the dacha is divided into the following stages:
As you can see, there is quite a lot of construction work. Moreover, any of the stages is very important, since not only the appearance of the entire structure, but also the operating time depends on it.
Bowl creation and excavation work
Let's move on directly to the main question - how to make a pool at the dacha with your own hands. If you have decided on the installation location and dimensions, then you can begin excavation work. First to the site apply markings. What can you use a rope stretched over pegs for?
Then we begin excavation work. This is the most labor-intensive stage during construction. You need dig a pit required depth and size. Moreover, it must be taken into account that the depth, length and width need to be approximately 50 cm larger.
This additional space is required for the installation of formwork. When the dimensions of the structure you have planned are very impressive, then you need to think about using special equipment.
Then, when the pit is dug, you can start creating the bowl. This stage of work includes the following activities:
- The walls and bottom of the pit are thoroughly compacted.
- A sand cushion is made. For this purpose, a layer of sand 25–40 cm thick is poured onto the bottom and carefully compacted.
- A layer of waterproofing is applied over the entire surface of the walls and on top of the pillow at the bottom. Now on the market you can see many materials that are an excellent barrier to water. The most cost-effective option is to use bitumen mass and roofing felt. These materials have proven themselves well and have been used for a long time.
- First, a layer of roofing material is laid over the entire surface (on the walls and bottom, while the walls must be covered with material up to the very top). Afterwards, several (preferably 4–5) layers of bitumen mass are applied.
- The next step is the installation of the drainage system. This must be done before installing the formwork. How many holes to make for draining and in what place depends on the shape and size of the bowl.
- Then we build the formwork, it can be made from scrap materials, and we begin pouring concrete. Moreover, it is imperative to use reinforcement.
- The formwork is removed after the concrete mass has hardened.
Lighting and decoration
Then you need to finish the bowl. But first you need additional apply a layer of waterproofing.
You also need to seal all the cracks that have formed so that water does not seep in and damage the bowl. To do this, you can use mastic, film or impregnating materials.
After installing the waterproofing, finishing work begins. As a rule, it is used to cover the bowl. tile. This material can easily withstand prolonged exposure to water, is very easy to clean and has an attractive appearance.
In addition to tiles, you can also use modern materials, for example, PVC film. Today, manufacturers produce a huge range of this material. It is durable and strong. At this point, the construction of the pool is actually completed.
In artificial reservoirs, water becomes polluted quite quickly and can be a favorable environment for the appearance of harmful bacteria. At the same time, dust, tree branches and fallen leaves constantly get into the outdoor pool.
For small pools you can build a lid, which will keep most of the debris out. Small particles that fall into the reservoir can be easily removed using a fine-mesh net. Algae that has formed on the walls clean with a soft bristle brush.
The water in this pool is desirable replace at least once a week. For example, use it to water the garden. The following methods are used to purify water in large pools:
- Electrophysical disinfection - the use of equipment for saturating water with silver ions and ozonizers. Ultraviolet lamps can be used to filter and purify water; they disinfect water by killing mold spores and microbes.
- Chemical treatment - performed using special substances. As a result, the pH level is normalized and the water is disinfected. The action of chemicals prevents the appearance of algae and eliminates the smallest particles of fat.
- Physical cleaning - removing small and large debris using a net. Constant cleaning with a water filter. Cleaning the internal surface with a vacuum cleaner and brush.
Features of pool water purification
The simplest way to purify water is a water filter. There are three types of systems with varying degrees of filtration. Sand filter based on finely crushed quartz, removes harmful microparticles up to 25 microns in size.
Cartridge filters suitable for medium-sized artificial reservoirs with a diameter of no more than five meters. These filters are equipped with a special valve to get rid of small debris and a water purification system from harmful elements up to 15 microns in size.
Diatomite filters- These are highly efficient and modern water purification systems. Fossil powder, kieselguhr, mountain flour, etc. are used as a cleaning agent. These particles remove the smallest elements up to one micrometer in size.
Products used as chemical cleaning compounds are: based on active oxygen, bromine and chlorine. Chloride compounds are quite effective, but require strict dosage. If doses are exceeded, there is a high risk of skin damage and poisoning.
Bromine-based preparations are safer and do not have a distinct odor. Cleansing with active oxygen is the most convenient and at the same time completely safe for health. The drug is added to the water immediately after filling the pool, taking into account the total volume of liquid.
A swimming pool on a personal plot or in a country house is great place to relax on hot summer days. And building it with your own hands is not very difficult. You can build a pond from scrap materials, but it is much safer to make it from concrete.
Apply markings, make calculations, dig a pit, fill the bowl and complete the finishing. This main stages of work. With a little financial investment and effort, you will have a great vacation spot for the whole family.
