On a hot summer day, it’s hard to deny yourself the pleasure of cooling off in a cool pond. Not everyone has country house on the banks of a river or lake, and the construction of a permanent pool requires space, time, and material costs.
Is there an alternative to capital expensive construction? Fortunately, people's ingenuity did not ignore this issue. We have selected not just the most interesting and simple ideas, but also the most viable ones that can actually be implemented on summer cottage without special skills.
The presented structures are not designed for 10-year use; they do not comply with all swimming pool construction standards. But the authors set completely different goals: cheap, fast, seasonal. Nevertheless, certain rules must be followed during such construction, so first we will familiarize ourselves with the general recommendations.
Important points when planning and building a homemade pool
Regardless of the choice of material for the construction of a seasonal pool, we recommend paying attention to the following points:
- the place for the pool should be in direct sunlight, and not in the partial shade of the garden: the water will heat up faster and there will be less debris in the form of falling leaves and insects;
- the area must be leveled and compacted;
- the bottom and walls of a homemade bowl should not have sharp protrusions or a hard surface;
- you need to immediately think about how and where the water will be drained during regular replacement (especially if installing filters is not provided);
- the frame needs to be strengthened so that the structure does not fall apart under water pressure;
- when purchasing a waterproofing film (tarpaulin), take into account the size of the container with a margin of 50 cm around the entire perimeter.
When installing a budget pool, do not forget about landscaping the area around it. You can make an embankment of pebbles or river sand around the perimeter, decorate the approaches with decking boards, or simply knock down wooden flooring from old pallets. Also, for comfort, it is advisable to consider a towel rack.
Just dig a hole and cover it with film
The first stage is the most labor-intensive - digging a hole of suitable size and depth. When the pit is ready: the bottom is leveled and compacted, the walls are perpendicular to the bottom and do not crumble, proceed to the second stage - preparing the surfaces.
The bottom is laid with cut cardboard boxes so that it is easy to advance. The walls are covered with bags so that the film does not tear on uneven surfaces and plant roots.
At the third stage, the pit is covered with waterproofing film. The upper edge is pressed with stones, which additionally plays the role of decoration.
You can bury a bowl made of scrap materials, covered inside with film, into the soil. This will require a lot of effort, but it will be possible to increase the depth of the pool. Since the edges of the bowl protrude above the soil surface, the soil will not be washed into the water.
We are sure that you will like the idea of having a swimming pool. And by next season you won’t want to build temporary structures. The optimal solution would be to organize a pleasant vacation spot for many years to come. To build a private pool, it is best to contact professionals who will help at all stages of its construction. Already a lot good reviews received by the company "POSEIDONSTROY". They will be able to make a pool according to your wishes or offer standard projects for implementation.
Frame pool made from pallets
To begin, choose a flat area and cover it with a thick tarpaulin (perhaps an old banner or canopy). Next, take 9 pallets and fasten them with screws and slats. Pallets are placed on edge, connected by a ring. When the round frame is ready, it is secured with tie straps for additional rigidity.
At the next stage inner surface The “bowls” are covered with thick greenhouse film, and old towels, bedspreads or blankets are placed on top at the junction of the pallets and on the bottom. This is done to soften the surface so that while swimming it is comfortable to press against the stacks and walk along the bottom.
The final layer is a waterproofing film. If it is blue or blue, the water in the pool will always be bright. Some advise using black film to improve water heating. It is important that under the film there are no open sharp corners, protruding boards or rough surfaces on which the film will quickly tear.
The film is secured to the top edge of the pallets using a special adhesive tape. For decorative finishing of the outside of the pool, you can use reeds or bamboo. Narrow boards are nailed on top to hide the pallets.
The frame can also be made rectangular by connecting the pallets at right angles. The bottom can also be lined with pallets.
To create the most comfortable zone, you can attach a lighting stand to the corner and make steps from pallets.
Fill such a pool tap water from a garden hose, and drained manually or using a low-power pump. If chemicals were not used for disinfection, then vegetable beds and flower beds can be safely watered with water.
Pool made from old boxes
The frame of the pool can be made from old wooden or plastic boxes. They make up a rectangular box, fasten each one together and additionally wrap it around the perimeter with plastic tape.
The structure is assembled on a tarpaulin. The inside of the box is covered with a thick waterproofing film, pressing the top edge with wooden boards.
A pond made of hay - simple and cool
Looking for available materials for the construction of a swimming pond in the dacha sector, enthusiasts turned their attention to hay, which is an indispensable attribute of agricultural land.
It is spread out on a prepared area, and sides are built from rectangular compressed bales. Further, everything is according to the already shown scheme: a thick film is covered in the resulting bowl, the structure is tightened with belts. To protect the waterproofing film from damage, cardboard or a thick tarpaulin can be placed on the hay as the first layer.
Pool on a metal frame
For those who are familiar with welding, it will not be difficult to make a simple pool with your own hands from metal.
Each wall is made separately from a profile pipe and galvanized sheet. The structure can be assembled by welding or made dismountable with bolts.
An insert made of waterproofing film is installed inside, which, if desired, can be made to order according to the dimensions of the resulting structure. You can decorate such a pool using flooring from pallets, and also make a cover.
To increase ease of use, it is recommended to install a pump with a filter and use disinfectants for regular use. Thanks to this, your pool will not turn into a muddy swamp in a few days, the water from which will need to be completely pumped out and replaced with new water on a regular basis.
Mini-pool made from a large tire
Our selection will be completed by a very simple idea for making a pond from a tire. large diameter from heavy special equipment.
To expand the future pool, the first step is to trim the sidewalls of the tire. The resulting workpiece is installed on a previously prepared concrete platform and filled with concrete. Thus, the tire and concrete form a bowl, which, after the concrete inside has dried, must be painted with a special paint.
As a result, you will get, albeit small, but not requiring much effort in maintenance and a very cozy pond that will help you cool off on hot days.
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 personal plot or working in the country.
However, not every yard has room for a large swimming pool, just as not every owner has the means to build one 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 hand-made - 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 dacha 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 pools. 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 has large sizes, you will need to buy an electric pump in addition to it.
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. General procedure action 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 with a steel frame, which will maintain its shape and strength over a long period of use.
- 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 start decorative finishing pool walls 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 option for an inexpensive stationary pool that 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 a good slope and are 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 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 a 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 a children's pool on your property. The only problem with their use is that some metal containers are not protected from rust. To solve the problem, they are painted or coated with another waterproof finishing material. If you would not like 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 take a look at 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
There are many ways to make a swimming pool at your dacha yourself. The starting material for which can be an old bathtub, a shipping container, a concrete ring and other suitable material. The most popular frame among country “homemade” frames is a swimming pool made of tires. Tires are a cheap and affordable material for a future pool, which can easily be found in a city landfill. Tires are a durable material that is not subject to corrosion like metal. The ease of making a frame with your own hands and the minimum of necessary work and materials are also advantages of this pool option. It is easy to work with the frame material with your own hands, and the finished structure can always be moved to a new place in the country.
To be objective, it should be noted that making a swimming pool in a country house from an old cast-iron bathtub or a waste container is almost easier than from a car tire, but, as usual, there are some “buts”. These are unlikely to be lying around in landfills. useful materials, like ownerless bathtubs and containers - be that as it may - it is, after all, “ferrous metal” that costs money. So both the bathtub and the container must be purchased in cash. The same applies to artificial, hand-made ponds with a wooden frame, and those made of a concrete base.
So, from all the proposed frame materials for a potential pool, we choose a tire. At first glance, this material, in addition to its undoubted advantages, has certain disadvantages.
Objectively speaking, every design made by yourself has disadvantages. A pool made from scrap materials, in our case a pool made from a tire, is not without them. No matter how large the wheel is, it cannot accommodate more than two people as a frame. But how great it would be to get into a pool made from scrap parts with the whole family! But the choice of available materials that are necessary for a do-it-yourself pond is not so great. And if we have chosen this particular frame as a material at hand for the reservoir, then we will proceed from its parameters.
A swimming pool, which is made from scrap materials with your own hands at the dacha, is not only an element of the landscape, but also a completely pragmatic thing that can refresh us on a hot summer day, and simply as a spare tank or pond for irrigation. If children live with you at the dacha, then a pond for them is an endless holiday that they will never get tired of.
The first thing we do to make our dream come true is the choice of frame material. The most popular, and let’s take it as a basis, is a tire pool. If you have the opportunity to choose, then it is best to choose a tire from a K-700 tractor or combine. The ideal frame option is a tire from a heavy-duty BelAZ.
As soon as you have delivered the frame of the future pool to your dacha, it needs to be improved. It is unlikely that the old car tire was stored in greenhouse conditions. Firstly, it needs to be carefully inspected, since it is not a fact that the rim was sent to scrap only because of wear. Breaks, “hernias”, and breakdowns of the metal cord are quite acceptable. Small holes in the material are not critical, since rubber is an elastic material and the hole can be repaired. Next, the tire must be cleaned of dirt with your own hands and thoroughly washed both outside and inside, keeping in mind future painting.
The next stage is choosing a site for the frame of the future pool
The place in the dacha should be open enough for free access sun rays and protected from the wind. In addition, the site must be removed from fruit trees and bushes. This is especially important if you decide to make an in-depth pool. In this case, when equipping a pit with your own hands, you need to be especially careful, as you risk damaging the root system of garden plants.
Having outlined a place at the dacha, we begin work on preparing the site for the reservoir. We measure the area using a building level and dig a pit with a depth of about a third of the height of the tire; we make a cushion of sand (the sand must be wet, then its density will increase) or small pebbles or other suitable material. We compact it thoroughly. Now you can start processing the tire yourself. To do this you should prepare:
- Shovel;
- Assembly knife with replaceable blades;
- Hacksaw for metal;
- A bar of soap;
- Ingredients for cement-sand filling;
- Decorative elements for the final design of the pool.
- Building level, tape measure.
To make the frame of the pool, we cut off the top that we don’t need from the sidewall of the tire. To do this, we use a mounting knife, generously lubricating it with soap for better glide and to prevent “oiling” with rubber fractions. Alternatively, we saw the metal cord threads using a hacksaw.
Avoid using a grinder to cut tires. When molten pieces of rubber fly apart, they can cause serious injury to you and others.
An important intermediate step before the pool is built in a permanent location will be the installation of a drain valve. To do this, a hole is made in the lower edge of the tire slightly smaller than the diameter of the drain valve. The tap is inserted into the hole, crimped with washers, screwed tightly and locked. The outlet pipe is fixed to which, if necessary, the drain hose is attached. Most likely, sealant will not be required, because... the rubber of the tire will tightly compress the valve neck.
We install the frame in the pit. We fill the pit with a concrete mixture 10-15 cm thick. The concrete base of the frame made from scrap materials should not yet “grab” when we install a tire on the resulting foundation and fill it again with a layer of concrete. We install the tire in the pit very carefully, avoiding shedding of the walls of the pit. To do this, we use structures from scrap materials: boards, metal profiles. The volume of concrete for the pool is determined depending on the diameter of the tire, but the layer must be at least 15 cm. After 7-8 days, your tire pool is ready for use. All that remains is to pour water into the pool and decorate the sides.
For example, you can see how a pool is made with your own hands from scrap materials (photo).
It’s not enough to make a pool at your dacha, you also need to decorate it beautifully. The simplest option is to paint the side wall of the pool oil paints. This type of decor is no worse than any other. There are other options for materials for decorating a future pool.
So, the pool can be lined with stones or made decorative brickwork along the perimeter of the structure. The space around the pond, which is made with your own hands from a tire, can be surrounded by a lawn, or a recreation area with a sun lounger or decorative benches can be arranged. Design the approaches to the pool in the form of tiled garden paths or use other flooring material. An alpine slide looks good next to a pond made of tires. With such decorative elements, your pool will be transformed and take on a different quality. This design will allow you to make the pool at your dacha an independent unit of landscape design.
If we give the example of durability like characteristic feature If the pool is made of a material such as a tire, then the accompanying surroundings should be no less durable. And what could be least susceptible to time than such material as decorative stone? Moreover, using this material as a decorative element is easy and simple, focusing only on intuitive messages. Boulders and pieces of basalt chips of given sizes can easily be found at the reservoir or quarry closest to the dacha.
Will the water in the pool be clear? Take care to paint the interior surface with light-colored paint. See how your pond will be transformed!
Another interesting question that is often asked by summer residents whose plots have artificial reservoirs: should they drain the water for the winter? The question is not idle, since in early spring, when the season opens, there is, as a rule, no water supply yet, but the need for it is as always there. Moreover, melt water is structured and, as a valuable material, has healing properties.
Owners who left water in metal barrels and learned from the bitter experience of irretrievably lost containers are getting rid of water everywhere on the eve of cold weather. By the way, this is also true in relation to reservoirs made of concrete structures, containers, and even cast iron bathtubs. When water freezes, it is known that it expands and deforms almost any material, which leads to dire consequences.
You can safely leave water in a tire pool for the winter! Water, as a structural material, expands when it freezes, of course, but rubber is also an elastic material at any reasonable low temperature.
As follows from the article, making a pool at your dacha is not so difficult, unless, of course, you buy a ready-made expensive product, but install it, as in our case, a pool made of tires. By spending a couple of weekends making a pool at your dacha, you will provide for your loved ones good mood and joy for many seasons to come.
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. What 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 recessed stationary version root system may damage the integrity of the structure and compromise 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 are connected to the dacha plot - water supply and sewerage, 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
Connection electrical equipment It is better to entrust it to specialists. This will protect against accidental electric shock both when connecting and during operation of the pool.
Frame
Frame pools include structures made from 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 products - 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 saturated blue. 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 in various 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. 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 located on 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 ceramic tiles laid on cement-sand mortar or polypropylene film.
Another option is to construct 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 pulled 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 a 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.
Bowls manufactured at the factory 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;
- neutral to the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation, not subject to fading and loss of original color;
- is environmentally friendly and harmless to humans, does not release any harmful chemical compounds into the water that can cause allergies or poisoning;
- has low heat transfer, allowing long time keep the water heated 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 reinforced concrete structures.
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.
In the process of final finishing and tiling the pool with ceramic tiles, it is better to use a special fine-mesh mesh, fiberglass-reinforced mesh. To increase the water resistance of the cladding, the seams between the tiles should be cut and rubbed with silicone mastic.
From cinder block
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 proven itself with positive side. 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 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 carried out 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 the pressure of water 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 the construction of cinder block walls, the inner surface of 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.
And dive in cold water. To make this a reality, you can make a small pool with your own hands. Certain types of structures can be easily assembled independently in the yard of a country house or home. This article will help the owner make his family happy; you just need to make the most of the materials that are already available.
Types of pools
In order to have plenty to choose from, you need to know about the features various solutions and their relevance for specific conditions.
Inflatable pools. These products can be installed in less than an hour. The pool is usually a container made of PVC film. To ensure that there are no breakthroughs and that the pool lasts long enough, it is reinforced with additional polyester fibers. Only one part is inflatable - the top edge. The whole circuit operates on the float principle. Water begins to fill inside, the side floats up. As the level rises, the walls are leveled and a full-fledged bowl is formed. The kit usually includes a pump, filter, ladder and assembly instructions. Among the positive qualities we can highlight:
- high assembly speed;
- relatively light weight;
- affordable price;
- the ability to deploy in any conditions (the only requirement is sufficient rigidity of the base and its evenness).
An inflatable pool usually meets all the expected requirements. But it is worth knowing about certain disadvantages: a high probability of water contamination, the relative fragility of the material (a fallen heavy branch or sharp object can damage so much that a complete replacement will have to be made). The price of such products cannot be called low; for some samples you will need to pay 30 thousand rubles or more.
Frame. Among the pools of this type there is large number various solutions. The support can be metal tubes, which are assembled into a closed structure, and a PVC bag is placed inside. When it fills with water, the walls rest against the racks and their expansion is limited. Panel frames are assembled from separate sheets of metal, which have an anti-corrosion coating, which prevents its damage. The internal space is organized in the same way as in the previous version.
Installing a frame pool usually takes a full day. At the same time, it also needs a good foundation so as not to deform it with the weight of the flooded water. Seasonal containers will have to be dismantled in the fall and installed again closer to summer. There are those who can easily spend the winter. Usually they have additional stiffening ribs mounted, and the main racks are large. This is necessary to resist the action that will occur when water freezes. Such pleasure will cost more than inflatable analogues.
Made from fiberglass. In most cases, this design is a ready-made cast container. It has specified parameters: depth and capacity. There is no need to invent anything. You only need to dig the appropriate pit, install the container and provide the required communications. One of the advantages is the high strength of the product. In some respects, it even surpasses concrete. Due to the properties of the components, the bowl is not subject to linear expansion due to temperature fluctuations. This means that the service life can be very long with proper maintenance. Fiberglass is highly repairable. The walls are so smooth that debris simply cannot linger on them, which means they are very easy and simple to clean. Large quantity available additional equipment For example, you can purchase a variety of slides or diving boards. This will delight not only children, but also adults. The low level of thermal conductivity prevents rapid cooling of the heated liquid.
With polypropylene bowl. By itself, this polymer material has sufficient strength. It does not need an additional layer of waterproofing, which will impede the outflow of liquid. Most often, blanks in sheets are used for the manufacture of such options. They are blue or cyan in color. You can do the assembly yourself, but this will require certain tools. Most often this is entrusted to professionals. The construction of the entire structure can take from several days to weeks. Such pools have a recessed design, so large-scale excavation will be required, as well as the laying of a concrete base slab. The material is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and chemically active substances. Thanks to this, it can be safely placed outdoors.
With concrete base. To put it simply, this is a pit of arbitrary length, width and depth chosen by the user. It is filled with mortar. The walls and bottom can be lined with special ceramic tiles or mosaics. Almost anyone can implement such a project in any suitable location. For such a pool, it is important to think through all the required communications so that it lasts as long as possible.
Dome. This could be any of the options listed. The special thing is that they all have a roof. It can be made from various materials. The main highlight is that the bowl is closed on all sides, which prevents wind from blowing through and also contributes to the rapid heating of the water inside.
In addition to differences in the method of construction, subtypes are also distinguished according to the filtration option. These could be:
- Skimmer. In this case, water is drawn from the pool through technological holes located on the side walls. Moving through the channels, it enters the filter device. There it is cleaned, disinfected and partially heated. Return to the container is carried out through nozzles.
- Overflow. This method is more effective, but is also somewhat more expensive in construction. The water mirror reaches the very top of the pool. Water flows through the drain hole or the top side and enters a special gutter, and from it into the tank. The latter contains a pump with a water sensor, which pumps the liquid into the filter, where it is cleaned. The liquid flows back through the holes located at the bottom of the pool.
Selecting a location
In addition to choosing a pool and even before creating its drawing, it is important to think about where to place it on your property. To make it easier to decide on this, here are a few rules to consider:
Assembly of the frame version
This option can be very cheap to manufacture. In order to implement it, you will need timber 100×100 mm, edged board 100×30 mm or 50×30 mm. You will also need a material that has good waterproofing and can withstand high tensile pressure.
- The site is selected as described above.
- A pit is dug 40 cm deep. Its dimensions should be 20 cm larger than the dimensions of the planned pool.
- The bottom is well compacted.
- A slight slope is created towards the middle, where a small hole is dug with dimensions of 50x50 cm and a depth of 20 cm. It will serve to collect water, which may overflow over the edges.
- The entire space is filled with medium or fine crushed stone. The layer should be 20 cm.
- Sand is added another 20 cm. It is very important to compact it well so that the pillow is sufficiently rigid.
- The plane is displayed using beacons. This will prevent the pool bowl from becoming distorted. Can act as guides metal pipes or a wooden beam, which is laid using a building level.
- Racks are made from the wooden beams mentioned above. Their number should be such as to install every meter. The total length is equal to the height of the pool plus 50 cm, which must be immersed in the ground.
- The part that will be in the ground is treated with bitumen mastic or wrapped in roofing felt. In addition, it is necessary to coat the wood with an antiseptic composition to prevent rot from constant exposure to moisture.
- At the installation site of each column, a hole is dug to a depth of 50 cm.
- Corner posts are installed. They are leveled using a building level in the horizontal and vertical plane.
- The space around them is filled with sand and soil, which are compacted well to securely fix the element.
- The diagonals are checked to ensure that the design is symmetrical.
- Fishing lines are stretched between the posts. One should be at the bottom, the second at the top. They are necessary in order to facilitate the installation of other reference points.
- The remaining parts are mounted with the indicated step.
- With the help edged boards supporting walls are packed. It is better to place the elements closely to create a uniform plane.
- After making the frame, a material is placed inside that will serve as a receiver for water. This can be thick polyethylene film. It is important that it be in one piece, because... A leak will certainly appear at the seam site, and water will seep into the ground. The edges must be folded over the top edge so that the material does not slip during use.
- If you wish, you can make a more durable version. To do this, you will need a PVC base, which is used for sewing awnings on trailers, eyelets, a rivet gun, a hair dryer and a rubber roller. The blanks are placed inside the frame and markings are made of what bends will need to be made in the corners, how much should be left for turning, and where exactly the seam will be soldered. The individual sheets are connected to each other using hot air. They are laid with a slight overlap. Using a hairdryer, heat until almost completely softened. Rolling a roller forms a joint. This should be done on a flat surface free of debris and dust. The upper edge is bent by 5 cm. The eyelets are installed using a riveter. The distance between them should be 15 cm. The awning can be fixed to the inside. To do this, it is simply pressed with a self-tapping screw and washer to a wooden base. Either the edge is bent over the top level, then a rope is pulled through the eyelets and it clings to the prepared elements.
- The finished pool is filled with water.
To make the structure easier to fit into the surrounding exterior, it can be partially or completely immersed in the pit. In this case, the bottom is organized in the same way as described. The drainage system can be improved. To do this, a sewer pipe is connected to the hole, which is located in the middle, the second end of which goes into a drainage basin or channel. This way, the water will drain much faster.
Making a concrete pool
The main task for this option will be excavation work. Having decided on the location and marking the territory, a hole of the required depth is dug. The bottom is formed in accordance with the recommendations listed above.
Installation of a polypropylene pool
If you have certain skills, installing such a pool will not take too much time. We will need sheet polypropylene (wall thickness from 8 mm), material for joining, a technical hair dryer, and a plane.
To install such a structure, a pit is prepared; its dimensions should be 10 cm larger than the product itself on each side. The bottom must be filled with solution and allowed to stand. The vessel is immersed in the middle. Gravel is poured into the space between the walls of the vessel and the pit and compacted well.
The technology for making a polypropylene pool is shown below:
Filter system
A pool filter is an integral device that must be present. Without it, it will be impossible to use water for a long period of time. It will need to be replaced frequently. The device can be installed either near the pool itself or in a specially prepared place. There are a large number of ready-made options. For a small pool there is no need to take a filter that is too powerful. If desired, you can assemble it yourself. For this you will need plastic barrel per 100 l. The main condition will be the presence of a lid that can close hermetically. A centrifugal or drainage pump will be required, plastic pipes, fittings and filter flask cartridge.
- A hole is drilled below the neck of the container.
- A threaded nipple is inserted into the hole. Sealing rubber bands are put on both sides and locknuts are screwed on.
- The same exit is made 5 cm above the bottom diagonally.
- A pipe is connected to the upper adapter, which will draw water from the pool.
- A filter cartridge is placed on the bottom from the inside. A pump is connected to the external one. The pump leads to the pool.
- Coarse sifted sand is poured halfway into the barrel.
- The installation must be below the water level in the pool. The liquid will flow by gravity into the container. Passing through the sand, it is cleaned and fed back into the bowl using a pump.
With the right approach to the matter, the pool will last for many years. A concrete or polypropylene structure can easily be made in a bathhouse or basement of a house. But this should be planned at the construction stage in order to avoid unpleasant consequences from uneven load.
Video
Below you will see video instructions for building a concrete pool:
Photo
