Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Swimming pools are very suitable structures for homes with large yards, but building a swimming pool is completely not something one can do by themselves. In most cities, you are not allowed to build your own swimming pools as construction must be supervised by an engineer to ensure it conforms to the standards. However, the process of installing a swimming pool made of fiberglass, vinyl or concrete is similar. First you need to choose the right pool location, then decide on the desired shape and depth. Next you will hire a group of masons to dig the soil, install the necessary plumbing and power lines, and finally pour concrete or install the wall of the lake before pumping water.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing to build a swimming pool

1. 

   Apply for the necessary building permits. The city government often requires you to obtain a housing permit before building a swimming pool on the premises of the house. You can usually apply for a building permit on the website of your local Department of Construction and Safety.
   • In addition to licensing you to build a swimming pool, a house building permit states the specific requirements and specifications of the pool.
   • Don't forget to check your neighborhood homeowner's association instructions before starting installation - not all neighborhoods allow swimming pools to be installed.
   • Some local governments may require you to obtain a separate electrical installation license. However, the electrician you hire to install a pool subway line will usually apply for this permit on your behalf.

2. 

   
   
   Choose a suitable location for the pool. Choose the best area of ​​the house to build a swimming pool. Families mainly build pools in the backyard, but you can place the pool next to the house if there is enough space to play.
   • Think carefully about where to place the pool. In some locations, a pool installation may require you to add or remove outdoor structures such as trees or fences, and this will increase the project cost.
   • You may not have many options regarding the overall size of the pool, depending on where the pool is located.

3. 

   
   
   Define the basic design of the pool. Think about what you want the pool to look like. Do you like circular, square or rectangular pools? How deep is that? How many entrances and exits does the swimming pool have? These are important details that you must discuss with the contractor before starting the project.
   • Most family pools come in standard sizes like 3m x 6m, 4.5m x 9m, and 6m x 12m, with depths from 1.2m-4.5m.
   • Remember, the more complex the pool design, the higher the total cost.

4. 

   
   
   Build a concrete foundation for the swimming pool to ensure durability over time. Most home swimming pools are finished with 1 of 3 types of back cover material: fresh concrete, fiberglass or vinyl. Concrete is the strongest and most durable, but also the most expensive. It is the best option for large pools permanently built on the premises of the house.
   • If you expect the pool to be heavily used then choose a durable material like concrete to reduce repair costs in the long term.
   • In some cases, a good quality concrete swimming pool can increase the value of a house upon resale.

5. 

   Choose a fiberglass cast pool for easy installation. Fiberglass pools are mainly sold as a prefabricated block. This makes installation extremely easy, as all the contractor needs to do after digging the ground is to put the pool in position and refill the soil around the lake. Fiberglass pools also make the ideal balance in terms of durability and cost.
   • For saltwater pools, you should choose the lake wall made of fiberglass or vinyl, because salt can corrode concrete over time.

6. 

   Make a pool lined with vinyl if you want to keep costs down. The vinyl pool liner is actually a large canvas, and they fit into the pre-dug tank. This is by far the most economical option for a home pool installation. The big drawback of this material is that it wears much faster than fiberglass and concrete.
   • Another weakness is that the vinyl liner is easy to bubble, create wrinkles, and pull loose. This means you have to make frequent adjustments to make the pool look good.
   • The average cost of swimming pools vinyl-lined is only about 25-50 thousand dollars, compared with concrete can be up to 80-100 thousand dollars (costs in the US).

7. 

   Hire a pool contractor to make your dream come true. Find out what pool contractors are in your area and compare carefully. You should choose a licensed professional company that proves they are qualified to install a swimming pool. Years of swimming pool experience is also a plus for them.
   • See comments from other landlords who have used the contractor's services in the past to see how they work.
   • The contractor you hire to install the pool will charge a separate fee for the employees, so don't forget to include this amount in your initial budget.
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Part 2 of 3: Creating basic textures

1. 

   Dig holes for swimming pools. Once you have hired a reputable contractor, they will mark the location of your chosen area and start digging. They will use reverse excavators and other motorized machinery to dig the soil. Excavation is one of the most important steps in the lake construction process, as whether other components are installed correctly will depend on this step.
   • The team of workers may have to ask you for help in bringing their equipment onto the property.
   • At this point you must have a permit to build a house. Without a permit, there is a risk that you will damage or hit underground lines of underground water.

2. 

   Ground leveling at the bottom of the pit. After digging the hole is complete, the next step is to level the ground that will become the pool bottom. They will cover the bottom surface with a thick layer of gravel, then rake and compact until the ground is completely flat.
   • There are several ways to level the ground at the bottom of the lake. Some pools have flat bottoms, others are built with steep bottoms so that one end of the lake is deep and the other end is shallow. Be sure to let your contractor know what type of swimming pool you want to build.

3. 

   Use steel pillars to support the earth wall. After you have excavated and leveled the bottom surface, you are now ready to shape the pool walls. Workers will walk around the perimeter of the pit to install wooden panels and metal bars. They used these tools to shape lake walls and support earth walls.
   • Like the lake bottom, they had to flatten the walls and align them with each other.
   • You may have to hire a subcontractor specializing in steel structures to shape the wall if the construction contractor does not have the license or equipment to do this.

4. 

   Installation of plumbing required. By this point you need to hire a specialist to install plumbing fixtures to arrange the circulation and filtration system for the pool. They will install components such as exhaust pipes, surface water collectors, 2- and 3-way valves, main pumps, which are used to supply water into the lake, discharge it, and circulate the water in the lake.
   • You need to hire a mechanic with a lot of experience working with the pool - inexperienced plumbers can mess up your pool.
   • Note that swimming pool plumbing can vary, depending on the building standards set in which you live.

5. 

   Install power lines for swimming pools. Before supplying electricity to the pool, the electrical contractor will have to run lines to the pool to power the filtration system and the underwater lighting equipment you want to install. This is also the time to hire a professional contractor, because badly installed power lines when facing water can be dangerous.
   • Have your main construction contractor introduce you to reliable electricians they have worked with before.
   • The safety of swimming pools is a big issue to consider. A faulty power line increases the risk of electric shock for swimmers.
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Part 3 of 3: Creating pool walls and bottoms

1. 

   Pour walls and floors into concrete if you plan on making a concrete pool. After the plumbing and electrical structures have been installed, the team of workers will use the mixer to pour concrete into the steel formwork that has been installed around the pit. They will level and smooth the surface of the concrete while it is still wet.
   • For pools of varying depths, they need to be checked to ensure a uniform bottom slope from one end to the other.
   • Walls of concrete lakes are usually finished with slag bricks or sprayed concrete. You should discuss the benefits of each option with your contractor.

2. 

   Hire a professional contractor to install a fiberglass swimming pool. Most fiberglass swimming pools are sold as a single block. If you choose a pre-made fiberglass swimming pool, a crane or similar equipment will be required to install it. Then the team of workers will fill the void around the pool with soil or concrete.
   • In some cases, the fiberglass wall is fabricated by spraying fiberglass material onto the mold instead of using prefabricated monolithic pools.

3. 

   Vinyl swimming pool lining. You can only lay out the vinyl liner after the concrete has been finished and let dry for 1-2 days. They will spread out a vinyl tarpaulin and stretch it out to cover the entire interior of the pool. They then attached the canvas to the outer edge of the pool with built-in clips on the canvas, and inserted a vacuum nozzle to draw air between the lining and the pool wall.
   • Before laying the tarpaulin into the tank, the crew will have to mark and cut holes for the lamps, the surface water collector and other structures inside the tank.
   • Usually you can put vinyl tarpaulins on your own, but with expert support, the installation will be carried out more efficiently and accurately.

4. 

   Pump water into the pool. After the construction and installation is completed, the rest is to pump water into the lake. Depending on whether you are anxious to swim or not, you can pull the hose from your indoor water source to pump at a slow speed, or rent a tank truck to pump it faster.
   • Pumping water into pools from a single tap can take all day (even all night). When you rent a tank truck, water will be supplied to the lake through many taps so the lake will fill up faster.
   • While supplying water to the swimming pool, you need to check for leaks, pipe functioning or other errors. If problems are found then you must contact the contractor for them to fix it before using the pool.

5. 

   Chemical treatment of swimming pool water is needed. Use your home water test kit to determine the pH of your pool water. Then you add chlorine and other chemicals such as shock, algae (if necessary) into the lake to raise the pH to a safe level. The ideal pH for pool water is 7.4-7.6, or slightly above neutral.
   • You can purchase water test kits at any pool supply store.
   • The amount of chlorine needed will depend on the size of the lake. If you do not know how much chlorine to use, contact your pool maintenance company for assistance.
   • If you use a saltwater pool, it is necessary to add salt (along with the right proportions of other chemicals) to the pool after the water is pumped.
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Advice

• Always cover the pool during the unused season, to keep the water clean and the pool from being damaged by contact with outside elements.
• After building the lake, you will clean yourself, use chlorine for disinfection and general maintenance of the lake, or hire professional swimming pool maintenance services.
• Take the time to explore your options for pool materials, piping systems, and water filtration systems before choosing a pool option.
• Consider using additional safety measures that are outside the requirements of the building standards set. For example, you should install a fence around the pool if you have children or pets, or use a buoy, install stairs and other structures for people who are not good swimmers.

Warning

• In some places, swimming pools and similar facilities are considered taxable items. Except that pool doesn't add to the value of your home.