How to build a swimming pool with your own hands: step by step we build a swimming pool at the dacha. What is the best way to build a swimming pool at your dacha? DIY ideas for a swimming pool at your dacha

On a hot summer day while relaxing at the dacha, it is very pleasant to plunge into a cool body of water. It’s good if there is a pond or river nearby. And if not? This is where your own pool comes in handy. Does it need to be as big as the Sports Palace? No, the purpose of a country artificial pond is to have fun, and not to set swimming records. Find out about all the nuances that you need to know about in more detail later in the article.

What types of country pools are there?

Types of pools found in summer cottages:

  • from scrap materials;
  • frame;
  • made of wood and film;
  • made of polypropylene;
  • from cinder blocks;
  • made of concrete;
  • made of composite plastic.

Which of these types to choose depends on the taste preferences of the owner and his experience in working with the materials used. The depth of a country artificial pond for adults usually does not exceed 1.5 m, and for swimming children - 0.5 m.

If the dacha plot has a slope, it is better to install the pool at its highest point. The location should not have trees or bushes in the immediate vicinity.

With a buried stationary option, the root system can damage the integrity of the structure and disrupt its waterproofing and tightness.

It is better to orient an artificial reservoir along the prevailing wind direction in the area. This arrangement will prevent dry leaves, grass and dust from getting into the water.

During the construction of a swimming pool on a summer cottage, stairs, gangways and ladders are provided. They will ensure safe entry and exit from the artificial reservoir from the outside and inside.

Additional attention should be paid to the system for filling the pool with water and emptying it. Typically, in large artificial reservoirs, automatic cleaning is used, when water is passed through a filter system in a closed cycle. This allows you to not change the water for a long time.

If engineering communications - water supply and sewerage - are connected to the dacha plot, you can use this fortunate circumstance. However, direct connection will require a project and permission from resource supply organizations. Unauthorized connection to these networks is unacceptable and may be punished with a large fine.

To supply power to pumps, filters, water heating devices and for lighting in the evening or at night, it is necessary to provide a power supply system.

Advice

It is better to entrust the connection of electrical equipment to specialists. This will protect against accidental electric shock both when connecting and during operation of the pool.

Frame

Frame pools include structures made of vertical posts and horizontal connecting strips installed at a certain pitch. They can be stationary or collapsible, that is, those that can be dismantled or moved to another location at any time.

The vertical posts of stationary pools are firmly pinched into the ground. In this case, either pre-dug pits or drilled wells are used. Racks can be in the form of metal pipes or rolled metal - a channel, an angle, an I-beam, concrete - of a round or rectangular section, wooden - in the form of logs or beams.

Pinching is done using concrete or cement-sand mortar. Before use, wooden elements must be treated with agents that prevent rotting, fungal damage and protect against insects that feed on wood. To reduce the flexibility of the racks when filling an artificial reservoir with a height of more than 50 cm, spacers are installed.

Horizontal planks are attached to the racks using bolts or self-tapping screws, creating either a solid board or a sparse one, if longitudinal gaps are left between the boards to save materials (in this case, the tensile strength of the film used is taken into account). Most often, horizontal planks are made from wooden edged boards.

In the simplest case, the inner bowl is lined with polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. There are films produced specifically for swimming pools that have a rich blue color. In a more expensive version, for long-term stationary operation, sheet propylene is used, the seams of which are welded with a conventional construction hairdryer. Exterior finishing can also be made of polymer film or plastic sidings, onto which some kind of pattern or coloring is applied for decorative purposes.

If you are installing a stationary outdoor pool, you should ensure that its bowl is protected during the cold season from precipitation in the form of rain and snow, as well as dirt and dust blown by the wind. This way, preparation for the start of operation will be kept to a minimum. As such protection, you can use a set of several wooden panels that completely cover the pool bowl with a polyethylene or polypropylene film laid on top of them.

Structurally, the pool cover is made 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 installed on a concrete base, buried in the ground to its own thickness (for the open version) or the height of the tire is added to it - for the option involving complete burial in the ground.

Once installed, this pool can be painted or finished in a variety of ways. It is very suitable for children's games and entertainment.

There are pools made from railway metal containers, with the upper part cut to the required height. Such pools can be completely or partially buried in the ground or simply installed on a planned earthen area.

For use along the walls and bottom of the pool, waterproofing is installed on the inside, and they themselves are decorated either with ceramic tiles laid on a cement-sand mortar or with polypropylene film.

Another option is to 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 tied together in 3 or 4 levels with plastic tapes, which perform the same function as metal hoops in a wooden barrel.

The bottom and walls of the resulting pool are lined with polypropylene film. Such a pool turns out to be collapsible. It easily decomposes into component elements that can be stored indoors for the winter, transported to another site, etc.

Sometimes you come across recommendations - to fold the walls of the pool from old plastic bottles. This advice seems very dubious for sanitary and hygienic reasons, since the required amount of this “material” required even for 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.

Factory-made bowls have limited dimensions to ensure their safe transportation. If the owner wishes to go beyond these dimensions, the pool can be independently welded from sheet polypropylene. At the same time, to ensure stability from the bursting loads of the water column of a filled pool, you can use both a frame system and the soil walls of an open pit. Sheets of propylene are cut in accordance with the configuration of the pool and welded together using a construction hair dryer.

The advantages of polypropylene pools are that this material:
  • has a dense, water-impermeable structure;
  • resistant to aggressive atmospheric influences, including temperature changes;
  • 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 you to keep water heated for a long time without exchanging temperature with the surrounding space;
  • the flexibility and elasticity of polypropylene make it possible to form bowls of various configurations and shapes, including those with rounded edges and transitions of the walls into the bottom;
  • welds well using a heat gun, ensuring reliable sealing.

Made from concrete

Despite the relatively high cost and labor intensity of construction, artificial reservoirs made of monolithic reinforced concrete are the most effective for long-term use. These types of pools can be used for decades, requiring only minimal cosmetic repairs and, in rare cases, replacement of decorative trim.

The cladding is usually ceramic tiles, painted in different colors, allowing installation in the form of patterns or geometric shapes. Also, using tiles in the pool, you can distinguish special zones, the boundaries of which are clearly visible both on the surface and under water.

At the first stage, after preparing and planning the site, as well as laying out the axes of the site, they begin to open a pit using manual labor or special earth-moving machines.

The bottom of the pit is also subject to leveling and leveling. For this, ordinary quartz sand is used. Rolled waterproofing is laid on top of the sand cushion and filled with hot bitumen. Next, the slab is concreted, reinforcing it with a mesh of metal rods. The grade of concrete must be no lower than M300...M450 in the old marking or from B22.5 to B35 in the new classification.

After 10…14 days, vertical formwork is installed on the bottom and concreting of the bowl walls begins. The thickness of the walls of a pool buried 1.5 m into the ground can be from 25 to 30 cm. It is better to reinforce the walls with a vertical mesh installed closer to the edge facing the pit. This is due to the fact that the vertical parts of the artificial reservoir are subject to lateral stresses from the water pressure, and the working fittings must be located on the side opposite to the applied force.

After concreting the walls and setting the concrete, internal waterproofing of the resulting bowl is performed. To do this, roll materials reinforced with fiberglass are used, rolling them overlapping along the bottom and wrapping them on the walls. Melted bitumen or special cold-curing mastics are used as glue.

Another method is to apply several layers of a special thick composition based on artificial rubber. After polymerization, it turns into a seamless, durable rubber-like insert, up to 5 mm thick. When concreting, you must remember to install round foam plastic inserts with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the pipes in places where utilities are supplied.

Interruptions in concreting walls should not be allowed for more than 5 hours. In this case, the concrete will turn out to be layered with hairline cracks, which will compromise the waterproof properties and structural integrity of the pool.

The formwork can be inventory - plastic, metal, from special formwork plywood, or homemade - from wooden panels knocked together with your own hands.

To save money, you can use an unedged slab board as a formwork material.

Complex reinforcement elements - frames, meshes are made by knitting, when individual parts are tied together with soft knitting wire.

It is strictly not recommended to use electric arc and acetylene welding, since exposure to high temperatures reduces the tensile strength of reinforcing bars and weakens the load-bearing capacity of a reinforced concrete structure.

You can prepare concrete yourself using a concrete mixer installed directly on your summer cottage. But in order to prevent accidental errors with the proportions of the constituent ingredients, it is better to use purchased concrete delivered by special mixer trucks. An additional bonus will be that all responsibility for low-quality concrete (if this happens) will be borne by its seller or supplier.

After dismantling and dismantling the formwork, voids are formed between the concrete and the ground wall of the pit, which are called reverse sinuses. Up to the level of the ground surface, they are covered with sand in layers, 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 shown itself to be positive. The strength of the walls made of this material turned out to be sufficient to withstand the lateral pressure of the poured water.

It should be noted that the masonry should not be made with cement-lime mortar, traditionally used for brick and stone masonry, but with cement-sand mortar. For better adhesion (gluing) of the solution to cinder blocks, plasticizer additives must be added to the solution. These can be polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVA), acrylic or styrene-based latexes.

Preparation work, excavation, as well as the installation of a horizontal slab - the bottom is carried out in the same way as it is prepared for a reinforced concrete monolithic pool. The walls are laid out to the required height with a thickness of half a cinder block, which is about 20 cm. Horizontal seams should be reinforced with a mesh of rods with a diameter of 6 mm.

Backfilling of the return sinuses should be done with a mixture of sand and crushed stone with very careful compaction.

If there are voids in them, one or more cinder concrete blocks under water pressure can be squeezed out of the vertical plane.

The leaked moisture will fall under the bottom and cause uneven subsidence of the soil at the base of the concrete slab with the formation of kinks and cracks in it. Such a pool will most likely be unsuitable for repair and will need to be disassembled and rebuilt.

After 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.




A swimming pool in the courtyard of a country house or cottage is associated with the luxury and wealth of the owner. This is partly true, but anyone who owns even a small plot can afford their own swimming place.

This will require minimal cash investments, available materials, free time and a simple tool that most summer residents have. How to make a pool with your own hands - read our article.

What available materials can be used as materials for making

When we talk about available materials, we mean materials that can be easily obtained without spending a lot of money. In this case, the final result, except for the appearance, will differ little from the finished products.

Old tire

An old tire from large construction or agricultural equipment is an inexpensive material for building a small pool. It is best to use a combine tire with a diameter of 30-32 inches. This size is enough to set up a pool for one adult or two children.

To find a tire that fits your size, you should contact a tire repair shop, where they will sell an unusable product for a small fee. Large tires are often sold second-hand on the Internet.

Residents of large cities can go to a recycling warehouse, from where old tires are transported to factories for further processing.

Among the advantages of a tire pool are:

  • the width of large tires allows the material to be used for the construction of pool walls;
  • the rounded shape of the tire is ideal for creating a water container;
  • the durable inner carcass of the tire will reliably hold water;
  • the rubber used in the manufacture of the product is not afraid of sudden changes and sub-zero temperatures;
  • the total cost of materials spent for manufacturing is several times lower than when purchasing a finished structure;
  • A tire pool can be easily decorated with paint.

The main disadvantage of such a pool is the total volume of the structure, which is only enough for one, maximum two adults. You won't be able to fully swim or dive in it.

In fact, a pool made of tires will resemble a swimming pool in which you can relax and lie down in comfort after a hot day of work.

Wooden pallets

Wooden pallets are rough plank flooring on a support, used for storing bulk mixtures in bags. The pallet has a convenient design and shape suitable for creating supporting walls of the pool.

The pallets are knocked together in a vertical position, forming the frame of the future pool. The more pallets, the more round the water container will be.

For an average-sized pool, 9–11 pallets will be sufficient. This is enough for a container in which 3-4 people can comfortably sit.

The advantages of a homemade pool made from pallets include the following:

  • the height of the pallet makes it possible to build a large-capacity pool;
  • ease of installation and fastening of stairs, steps, slides for descending into the water;
  • no need to dig a deep foundation pit;
  • easy to dismantle and move to a new location;
  • if necessary, it can be quickly repaired or expanded by adding one or two sections.

Among the disadvantages of such a pool can be noted general instability. It will be necessary to use tie-down straps and supports to strengthen the structure, which must be checked and tightened before each fill of water.

To protect against moisture and natural precipitation, finishing on the outside is required, with further treatment of all wooden elements with an antiseptic.

Gabions

A gabion is a reinforcing structure made from wire mesh. Previously, such products were used to strengthen river banks, preventing their erosion. In construction and gardening they are used to create three-dimensional products of various shapes.

When creating a pool, they are ideal for forming walls. To fill the mesh molds, it is best to use dry stone of various sizes.

The advantages of such a pool include:

  • gabions allow you to create a container of any shape: circle, oval, square, rectangle;
  • solidity and strength of the structure;
  • simple operating technology that allows you to create a pool of any size;
  • original appearance that does not require additional finishing.

The labor costs for constructing this pool are quite high, since it will be necessary to find a sufficient amount of stone and deliver it to the work site. Dismantling is another weak point of the structure, since dismantling the pool will take a lot of time.

Plastic bottles

Plastic containers are constantly used to create garden devices and transfer water around the site. But it can also be used and used to build a swimming pool.

The essence of the method is that a plastic bottle will be placed on cement mortar, forming the walls of the future pool. During installation, the seams and space between the bottles are filled with cement, which will give sufficient strength and tightness to the future structure.

The volume and shape of the container will depend only on the amount of containers that can be found. This is the main disadvantage of this method, since it will require lengthy preparation of the material.

If possible, you can purchase containers in bulk. On average, building a large pool will cost no more than 2.5–3 thousand rubles, not including the cost of cement-sand mixture.

Concrete ring

Concrete rings are used to strengthen the walls of well and sewer shafts. The standard dimensions of a reinforced concrete ring depend on the product labeling. For example, products marked KS-15–9 have a height of 90 cm and a diameter of 150 cm.

The optimal sizes of well rings for building a swimming pool can be seen in the table below. There are rings with a ready-made bottom, which will simplify the process of constructing a pool, since you will not have to pour a concrete base.

The advantages of such a pool include its strength and durability. Concrete walls do not need to be strengthened or treated with a protective compound. The width and depth of the resulting container is quite enough for bathing 2-3 adults.

The only negative is that to deliver the ring to your summer cottage you will need to order large vehicles. A crane is used to unload and transport the pool to the location, which will also require certain costs on the part of the customer.

Metal container

Large metal containers are used for transportation by rail or shipping. You can find them at metal delivery points, where leaky products are often delivered.

This container is well suited for a swimming pool - you just need to weld the resulting cracks. The capacity of the container directly affects the size of the future pool.

As in the case of a well ring, you will need to order special equipment for delivery, unloading and moving the container to a place not prepared in advance. Otherwise, the container is almost identical to ready-made plastic pools. It only requires minor cosmetic repairs and treatment with an anti-corrosion compound.

The inside of the container is coated with waterproof paint or lined with any suitable tile.

Preparation and calculation of the structure

An old tire and wooden pallets are the most affordable materials for creating a pool with your own hands. Based on this, we will calculate the volume of the container based on the overall dimensions and the number of pallets.

As a wheel tire, it is better to use a tire from a BelAZ truck model FT-116AM2 or FT-117M2. These are large tires with a width of 955 mm and a diameter of over 3000 mm.

Other models and their sizes can be seen in the table in the photo below.

To calculate the volume of the future pool, we will use a simple formula: V=π * r 2 * h, where V is the volume of the container in the form of a cylinder, π is a constant value (3.14), r is the radius of the circle, h is the width of the tire.

Let's carry out the calculation for the FT-117M2 tire, the width of which is 1175 mm and the diameter is 3575 mm. The total thickness of the sand-concrete cushion will be 30 cm.

The sequence of calculations is as follows:

  1. According to the initial data, the tire radius will be equal to: 3575 / 2 = 1.7875 mm.
  2. We substitute the data into the formula and calculate the volume of the structure: 3.14 * 1.7875 2 * 1.175 = 13.1899 or 13.19 m 3.
  3. Similar steps to calculate the volume of sand and cement: 3.14 * 1.7875 2 * 0.15 = 1.6838 or 1.68 m3.

Other finishing materials are selected individually according to taste and the design project, if one was drawn up earlier.

Wooden pallets are produced in accordance with GOST and have dimensions of 800×1200 mm. Knowing the dimensions of the pallet, you can calculate the volume of a pool of almost any shape. Since we advised using 9 or more pallets, we will carry out the calculation for a pool in the shape of a hexagon.

To do this, we will use the standard formula for calculating volume: V - S o * h, where S o is the base area, and h is the height of the pallet. The formula for the area of ​​a nonagon: S o = 6.18182 * a 2 , where a is the side of the nonagon, which in our case is equal to the height of the pallet.

The sequence of calculations is as follows:

  1. We calculate the area of ​​the base: 6.18182 * 1.2 2 = 14.8363.
  2. Pool volume: 14.8363 * 0.8 = 11.869 m3.

If the pallets are arranged in height, then instead of 1.2 m, 0.8 m should be substituted in the first formula. We do the same with the second formula. In this case, the pool will be deeper, but slightly smaller in diameter.

Tools and accessories

To build a pool from an old tire you will need the following tools:

  • A sharp knife with a strong blade.
  • Shovel and bayonet shovel.
  • Container for mixing cement-sand mixture.
  • Construction mixer or drill with appropriate attachment.
  • Tape measure and bubble level.

To mix a large volume of mortar, it is better to use a concrete mixer. This will significantly speed up the work process.

To build a pool from pallets you will need the following:

  • Hammer and screwdriver.
  • Jigsaw, plane and sander.
  • Pliers, screws and nails.
  • Shovel and bayonet shovel.
  • Containers for sand, cement and water.
  • Tape measure, square and pencil.

A jigsaw can be replaced with a regular wood hacksaw, and a grinder can be replaced with sandpaper. This will have virtually no effect on the final result.

How to make a pool from a tire

Before carrying out work, it is necessary to carry out initial clearing of the site. You will need to remove old foliage, branches, uproot sprouting bushes, etc. To carry the tire to the work site, you will need the help of a partner.

The sequence of constructing a pool from a large tire is as follows:

  1. Turn the tire on its side. Using a knife, you need to cut out the side part around the circumference. When making a cut, follow the markings on the tire. This will simplify the cutting process and allow you to get a cut with a smooth edge. It is not recommended to use a grinder, as the rubber will quickly turn into crumbs and stick to the disc.
  2. Next, the site is prepared for the arrangement of sand flooring. This can be done in two ways. In the first case, we remove a layer of soil to a depth of 25–30 cm. The base area should be slightly larger than the diameter of the tire. Carefully level the base of the pit and fill it with fine-grained sand. The thickness of the layer is 15 cm. Then lightly moisten the sand with a small amount of water and compact it with a shovel.
  3. In the second case, there is no need to dig a hole. It is enough to level the area of ​​land on which the sand will be poured. Further compaction technology is similar. We recommend using the first method, since a similar method is used for the construction of blind areas and allows you to create a more durable foundation.
  4. A layer of concrete mortar at least 15 cm thick will need to be poured onto the compacted sand. For this, ready-made mixtures of grade M300 and higher are used. When mixing independently, the proportion of cement to sand is 1:3. The amount of water affects the ease of installation and distribution of the solution.
  5. While the solution is wet, you need to move the tire to the pouring site. After installation, the tire is slightly pressed into the solution. Another 2-3 buckets of the mixture should be poured into the void between the concrete solution and the tire.
  6. You can start decorating the pool and wait for the mixture to dry. After 14 days, the concrete layer will gain 80% of its strength. Complete drying of concrete occurs within 25–28 days.

To decorate such a pool, exterior paint, decorative stone, and pieces of tile are used. Before pouring water, it is better to coat the inner surface of the tire with waterproof paint.

Arrangement of a swimming pool from plastic bottles

In addition to cement and sand, to create a pool from bottles you will need to prepare wooden boards, small blocks and gravel. The size of the bar is 25×50 mm. Gravel fraction - 5/20. The length of the board should be equal to the length of the base where the sand and gravel cushion will be poured.

The sequence of actions for creating a pool from bottles is as follows:

  1. The selected area should be cleared of debris and branches. Next, you will need to remove the top layer of turf and dig a pit to a depth of 30 cm. The dimensions of the pit should be larger than the pool by 20–30 cm on each side. For example, for a pool with sides of three meters, a pit measuring 330x330 cm is suitable.
  2. The formwork is being installed. To do this, the bars should be sharpened at the end using an ax. A block is nailed to the board every 100–120 cm. A metal corner for furniture is used to fasten the boards into a frame. For example, a corner marked 40*40*16 is suitable.
  3. The formwork is installed in a dug pit. The base of the dug recess is leveled and lightly compacted. If necessary, the ground can be treated with an antiseptic to kill weeds. Afterwards, a layer of sand and gravel 12–15 cm thick is backfilled.
  4. If there is no gravel, then you will need to lay a reinforcing mesh assembled from reinforcement bars. To do this, the rods are knitted using ordinary wire. The frame is installed so that the reinforcement does not touch the sand. Installation on pre-laid stone or brick is allowed.
  5. Before pouring concrete, the location of the drain hole should be provided. It is better to use a ready-made product for draining water. The pipe is attached to the fittings. During the pouring process, it will need to be straightened relative to the upper plane.
  6. The concrete solution is being poured.

    In this case, it is better to use a concrete mixer, since large foundations will require 1.5–2 m 3 of concrete. During the pouring process, the concrete must be compacted with a wooden lath or shovel.

  7. After pouring the base, you should wait at least 14–18 days and only then begin laying the walls of the pool. For masonry, you will need to pull the mooring cord, fixing it on bricks and any other material. The thread is stretched strictly along the perimeter of the future pool.
  8. The cement-sand mortar is laid out along a stretched guideline. A plastic container filled with sand is placed on top of the fresh solution. The bottles are tied together with wire with a cross-section of 3 mm. The work process is similar to brick laying. Laying the first row continues until the base of all four walls is completed. Then they move on to laying the second and subsequent rows. The optimal wall height is 100–150 cm.

Upon completion of the work, it is necessary to finish the interior of the pool. To do this, all cracks and voids are covered with cement mixture until a smooth surface is formed. If the cement layer is more than 3 cm, then it is better to use a reinforcing mesh, which is attached to the bottom of the bottle using self-tapping screws.

The front side of the pool walls is finished in a similar way. Waterproof paint for swimming pools is used as a protective and decorative coating for interior walls, which is applied with a roller in 1–2 layers. After painting you should wait at least 5 days.

Instructions for creating a pool from pallets with your own hands

To create a pool from pallets, you will need to purchase wood antiseptic, PVC film and a drain pipe of any convenient shape.

The process of constructing such a pool consists of the following steps:

  1. Wooden pallets need to be treated with an antiseptic or antifungal impregnation 1-2 times.
  2. Depending on the shape of the pool, it is necessary to dig a hole 30 cm deep. We carried out calculations for a pool of 9 pallets, then the hole will have a round shape. The size of the pit should be slightly larger than the diameter of the pool itself.
  3. A layer of gravel with a fraction of 5/20 should be poured into the bottom of the pit and distributed evenly over the surface. The layer thickness is no more than 20 cm. Next, the frame of the future container is assembled inside the pit. The pallets are mounted with the plank flooring inside. Metal corners, boards and self-tapping screws are used for connections.
  4. The drain pipe is being installed. To do this, a hole is cut in the frame, through which a pipe is threaded, draining outward. Afterwards it is necessary to strengthen the structure with 2-3 tightening straps.
  5. Wooden wedges made from blocks are driven in around the circumference every 30–50 cm. This will further strengthen the structure. A layer of concrete mixture 10–15 cm thick is poured. A rule is used for leveling.
  6. The concrete layer will dry in 25–28 days, but further work can be carried out within 10–14 days from the moment of pouring. To cover the inner surface, PVC film is used, which is fixed in the upper part of the pallet.

The exterior of the pool can be lined using particle boards or moisture-resistant plywood.

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.

In the summer, when the weather is quite hot outside, it is especially pleasant to be in cool water. However, it is not always possible to go out into nature, where you can swim to your heart’s content in a river or any other body of water. An excellent alternative to this is your own pool, located on a summer cottage, or on the territory of your country cottage. But to do it, you need to have certain skills and knowledge, which will be discussed in this article.

Before we begin describing the procedure for building your own pool on your site, I would like to talk about the types of structures that you can install at your place. Each of them has its own characteristics, which naturally affects the materials used and manufacturing technology. There are several main types:

4. Swimming poolsstationary type . This type of pool can rightfully be considered a full-fledged pool that can serve its owner for many years. Of course, its construction will require a lot of effort and financial costs, but the results obtained will please everyone.

In principle, this is where the list of types of pools ends. The first three types can be purchased ready-made, so we will not consider them. We are more interested in a stationary pool, the construction of which includes several stages.

Pool location

We have decided on the type of pool. Now we should think about where exactly it will be located on the plot? In addition, an important point will be the size of the future pool, which entirely depends on the individual wishes of the owner, as well as on the size of his own summer cottage.

As a rule, many are inclined to install a pool directly behind the house, but here you need to take into account several nuances:

  • Soil properties. A lot depends on its characteristics, because the first stage of work is digging a pit. If the soil contains stones, the work can be very difficult and energy-consuming. The most preferred is clay soil, which has very good waterproofing properties;
  • The direction of the wind must be taken into account. It is clear that the wind can be changeable, but when thinking about the location of the pool, it is necessary to take into account those areas where the wind blows quite strongly. If this circumstance is not taken into account, then there will be a lot of foreign objects and small debris in your pool;
  • The pool should be located in an area where there are no trees or various shrubs. All plants are drawn to water, so the same tree roots can cause damage to the pool bowl.

As for the size of the future pool, everything depends solely on the wishes of a particular person, as well as the size of his plot. For example, if one swimming lane is enough for you, then two meters is enough for the width of the pool. If there are two tracks, then the width will double, i.e. up to four meters.

The depth of the pool will also depend on the individual preferences and goals of the owner. In most cases, one and a half meters is enough for the depth, but if you plan to also equip a diving tower, then naturally the depth will be greater. In addition, if you have children, the depth should not be too great, or they should be under your constant supervision while swimming.

What can you build a pool from?

If you intend to equip your own swimming pool at your summer cottage, then you have two options - purchase a ready-made bowl, which is sold in a specialized store, or make this bowl yourself. It should be noted that in both cases it will be necessary to dig a pit.

The advantages of ready-made bowls include ease of installation, environmental friendliness, high reliability characteristics that prevent environmental influences, etc. If we talk about the disadvantages, then such containers are quite ordinary in appearance, so they are not suitable for every person.

That is why many are inclined to make their own pool bowl. One of the options for how all this can be implemented in practice is shown in the following video:

As for the materials needed for work, there are only a few of them:

  • Hydroconcrete or cement of a certain grade (C500);
  • Sand or crushed stone;
  • Ruberoid and bitumen mass;
  • Boards and waterproof plywood;
  • Reinforcing mesh and wire rod;
  • Facing materials – ceramic tiles, mosaics, PVC film, etc.

This is a fairly standard list of the materials that we will need during the construction process. However, the modern building materials market offers a fairly large selection of products that can be used to build a pool bowl. In particular, polystyrene foam blocks, which have proven themselves to be the best in terms of ease of installation and low weight of structures, may be suitable for these purposes.

But we will consider the option of making a bowl using concrete, because... this option looks more traditional and suitable.

How to build a swimming pool with your own hands?

Building a swimming pool with your own hands can be roughly divided into several steps:

  • Drawing up a pool project, as well as choosing a site for construction;
  • Marking the boundaries of the future pool;
  • Excavation work;
  • Making formwork, as well as pouring the structure bowl;
  • Processing the bowl, as well as applying waterproofing;
  • The final stage, which includes the installation of related equipment, lighting, etc.

There is a lot of work, but you shouldn’t neglect any of the stages. The period during which you will enjoy your own pool in your garden will depend on this.

Excavation

Having decided on the location, you can proceed directly to the work itself. We mark the boundaries of the future pool on the territory using ordinary wooden stakes and a fishing line or rope stretched between them.

Now comes the turn of the most labor-intensive and important construction process - earthworks, i.e. digging a pit. At the same time, it is important to understand that all parameters of the pool (length, width and depth) should be made approximately 50 cm larger. This is necessary so that there is space for arranging the formwork. If your pool is small enough, then all the work can be done manually, but if the size is impressive, then you obviously cannot do without special equipment.


After the concrete has hardened, you can remove our formwork. Then it is necessary to treat the entire surface with a mixture of cement and water, as a result of which we have a waterproofing film.

We line the bottom of the pool with a mesh made of rebar. Then we fill it with concrete so that its thickness is approximately 15-20 cm.

Bowl lining

Mosaic or ceramic can be used as facing materials. Both options have a right to exist, because they have a fairly attractive appearance and are also very easy to care for.

There are other materials for cladding (for example, PVC films), so the choice remains entirely up to the person himself. To improve the area around the pool, you can plant a lawn.

If you have enough money, then you can equip your pool with additional equipment:

  • Water purification system. Typically, this system includes a valve, a filtration tank, a circulation pump and various filters. If you provide such an installation for your pool, you can change the water in the pool much less frequently;
  • A flow-type heater that allows you to swim in the pool, regardless of the ambient temperature;
  • Illumination around the entire perimeter of the pool will look very advantageous.

Remember that the area around the pool should also be equipped with something. Ceramic tiles with an anti-slip surface are perfect for these purposes, allowing you to avoid possible injuries and falls.

Each craftsman who has built a homemade pool on his site has his own personal preferences and secrets. You can clearly see one of the construction methods if you watch this video:

Making a homemade pool in a summer cottage is a rather labor-intensive process, but it is quite possible to implement it if you follow certain instructions. Of course, certain financial investments will be required on your part, but each of us understands that our own pool is a great way to relax in the summer without leaving your own home or cottage.

A swimming pool at the dacha is a great opportunity to take a swim on a hot summer day after hard work in the garden, and for the kids it will be just paradise. But it is not always possible to buy an expensive plastic or inflatable pool. You can make a small pool with your own hands simply from scrap materials such as tires, pallets, containers, bathtubs that you can find in your yard or you can get them completely free.

Available materials: advantages and disadvantages

There is a large number of different materials from which you can make yourself in a short time a comfortable country pool, where not only children, but also their parents can splash in the summer. And for this you will not need to spend a lot of money and purchase expensive tools, as in the case of building a stationary concrete pool.

From tires

If you have the opportunity to find or ask your friend a tractor driver for an old unnecessary tire, then you can make an excellent pool at your dacha in which all family members can swim.

The old tire will serve as the frame (sides) for the pool, and the bottom will need to be filled with concrete, about 15 centimeters thick. It is necessary to pour concrete not only inside, but also outside for more waterproofing. It will also be necessary to install a tap to drain the water and provide a cleaning facility (filter) for the pool. In a week you will be able to use this pool without any problems.

But there are both advantages and disadvantages of this material for constructing a pool.

Advantages of pool tires Disadvantages of pool tires
There is no need to look for materials to construct the sidesSmall size. Adults will not be able to swim or dive
The round and waterproof tire is a ready-made containerYou can only swim in a sitting position
A thick layer of rubber will reliably hold waterSuitable for only one or two adults and a maximum of three children
The rubber frame can be easily decorated (painted, covered with stone or tiles)Often the specific smell of rubber and machine oils remains for a long time
Not afraid of water pressure
High degree of reliability and durability

From wooden pallets

Wooden pallets have long been used to make garden furniture and can now be used to build a swimming pool. Their sizes and shapes allow the construction of walls (sides) for a reservoir. In order to make a good round structure, you will need to take 9 pallets. Then the pool can freely accommodate about 6 people.

AdvantagesFlaws
High sides allow you to fill the pool with more waterThe wooden structure requires additional reinforcement with textile tie straps or stops
Climbing ladder and slide can be installedThe pool must be covered with facing material
There is no need to dig a deep round pitThe wooden frame must be treated with antiseptics and antifungal agents
Easy to install and dismantle if necessaryBefore adding water, regularly check the integrity of the trays and tighten the belts
Wood is an environmentally friendly material
Easy to replace any section

From plastic bottles

Plastic bottles have long been a popular building material for summer residents. These are convenient and practical products from which you can build a fairly high and strong round, oval, square or rectangular pool wall structure using cement mortar.

Meanwhile, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages of plastic bottles as a material for constructing a swimming pool.

From a cast iron bath

Very often, when making renovations in an apartment, we throw away old cast iron or steel bathtubs, which can now be useful in the country and not only for collecting rainwater. From such a bathroom you can make a small pool for children who can splash in warm water while relaxing in the country. To build such a pool, you only need the bathtub itself, a certain amount of sand and decorative finishing materials at hand.

From the container

If you have an empty container at your dacha in which you previously stored your tools, now it can easily become a beautiful and deep pool. But if you decide to make such a pond at your dacha, and the container is not available, then you can always purchase it at an affordable price from a shipping company.

Advantages Flaws
Affordable priceMetal is susceptible to corrosion (if improperly processed)
Minimum costs and time for constructionThe need for waterproofing
Long service life of metal structureDifficulty in transporting a large container
Does not deform during the entire period of operationAttracting additional labor
Can withstand high water pressureAdditional costs for materials
Minimum costs for excavation work (a shallow pit will be required)
Easy to insert communications (all pipes can be connected to the frame without welding)
Mobility and ease of use (can be easily dismantled if necessary)
Withstands high water pressure
Large degree of spaciousness

From reinforced concrete rings

Reinforced concrete rings, from which wells are constructed, and sewer systems are perfect for constructing a small pool on a personal plot. The height of the standard ring is 90 cm, so the depth of the pool will be quite sufficient for children and adults, and the maximum diameter is 2 meters. The round ring is already a ready-made structure for the pool walls, but in order to create a leak-proof reservoir, you will need to additionally purchase geotextiles, concrete mortar and sand.

From gabions

Gabions are stones placed in a special metal mesh. Since the mesh can have a variety of geometric shapes, the pool can be made according to your wishes. Such a pool will look great on a personal plot and, moreover, will not require additional decoration.

How to make a pool from a tire with your own hands

Calculation of required materials

In order to make a sufficiently voluminous pool from a tire, we recommend paying attention to Belaz truck tires. The diameter of this tire ranges from 1.62 to 3.575 meters, and the width from 49.8 to 114 centimeters. If you need to choose the right size, you can use a special table.

  • In order to find out the volume of the future pool, we need to make some simple calculations using the formula V=π·r 2 ·h, where V denotes the volume of a round reservoir; the number π is a constant that is equal to 3.14; r - radius of the circle; h - tire height. We need to find out the radius of the circle. To do this, we divide the diameter value by two: 3.575:2 = 1.7875 mm.
  • Then we substitute our numbers and get the volume of the structure: 3.14 x 1.7875 2 x 1.149 = 11.4371 m 3. We get a round number of 11.438 m 3.
  • In order to make the base of the pool, we will need to purchase sand and cement mortar. The sand cushion and concrete bottom must be at least 15 cm thick, so we need to calculate the amount of these materials.
  • Sand: 3.14x3.1951x0.15=1.504 m3. We will need a little more cement mortar, so we need to add 2 more buckets to this volume.

As a finishing material, we can take oil paint of various colors, which we will use to paint the outer frame of the pool. Or you can decorate it with small natural stones.

List of tools

  • A good, sharp, large knife (preferably a hunting knife).
  • Shovels and bayonet.
  • Large containers for cement mortar, sand and water.
  • Concrete mixer (or a special construction container for preparing concrete mortar).
  • Level.
  • A tape measure of at least 5 meters.

Stages of work

  1. Using a knife, we make a deep cut on one side of the tire. And in order for us to get an even cut, we need to walk the knife exactly along the marked circles of the tire. We do not recommend using a grinder, since during operation the rubber will melt and stick to the cutting wheel, and it will also crumble badly.
  2. We determine a place for the pool and clear it well. We remove unnecessary plants and debris, and then pour a layer of sand and compact it well. You can moisten the sand a little and then it will keep its shape. We need to make a layer of sand of 15 centimeters so that the diameter of the pillow is 15–20 centimeters larger than the diameter of the tire.
  3. We pour the prepared concrete solution on top of the pillow to create a layer of about 15 centimeters. We place a tire on top of the solution and pour two buckets of solution inside it.
  4. We now leave our pool for about a week to allow the concrete to harden well.
  5. After this, we can take waterproof paint and paint the inside (walls) of the pool so that they are not black, but, for example, blue, turquoise or green to match the color of the water. We can decorate the outer walls of the tire to suit our taste: paint it with oil paint, cover it with pieces of broken tiles like a mosaic, cover it with small stones, etc.

How and what to paint

If you decide to paint a tire pool, you can use nitro paint, enamel, oil paint or aerosol for painting cars.

Video: how to make a pool from a large tire

Such a pool does not require special operating conditions, since truck tires are designed to operate even in the most severe weather conditions and at any temperature. Therefore, the pool will serve you for many years.

Periodically, its inner and outer parts, as well as the bottom, will have to be repainted, since even the most waterproof paint will eventually begin to crack and peel.

Construction of a reservoir from pallets (pallets)

Calculation of required materials

Pallets will be an excellent solution for a country pool. From these we will build the walls of the structure and the more pallets we take, the larger and rounder our pool will be.

  • In order to calculate the volume of a reservoir, we will use the mathematical formula S=A

    2 -a 2, where "A" is the side of the square that contains the octagon, and "a" is the side of the octagon. Therefore, “a” will be 1.2 meters long for the side of the pallet.

  • First, we find the value of “A” using the formula below:
  • The result from the root is 1.41421356. Next, using this formula we find the fraction and it turns out to be 0.8485281. Then we substitute our numbers into the formula to calculate side “A”: 1.2 + 2x0.8485281 = 2.8970562 m.
  • We calculate the area of ​​the structure: S=A 2 -a 2 and we get 2.8970562 2 – 1.2 2 =8.3929346–1.44=6.9529346m2. Now we round up our figure and get 6.95 m 2.
  • Having all the values, we calculate the volume of the pool using the formula V=S base xh, where “h” is the height of the structure, which is 0.9 meters. We get 6.95x0.9 = 6.255 m3.

Tools

  • Large shovels of various types.
  • Big hammer.
  • Electric or cordless screwdriver.
  • Concrete mixer.
  • Buckets for sand, water and concrete.
  • Gravel or crushed stone (the amount is calculated based on the diameter of the pool).
  • Electric jigsaw.
  • Sander or sandpaper.
  • Minimum 10 meter tape measure.
  • Stakes and strong cord.
  • Square.
  • Rule (level) and plumb.
  • Marker or pencil.
  • Large pliers.
  • Wood planer.
  • Hardware.

Stages of work

  1. First, we treat all pallets with antiseptic and antifungal agents and special impregnations, since the wood will be in close proximity to water.
  2. For the pool sections we take 120x90 cm pallets. From them we will create an octagonal-shaped structure.
  3. Using shovels, we dig a round pit so that our diameter is slightly larger than the size of the future reservoir.
  4. We level the bottom of the hole well and fill it with crushed stone or gravel - a layer of 20 centimeters.
  5. Inside the pit we assemble a frame from pallets (8 pieces). Before this, we lay thick polyethylene on the bottom of the pit. We place the pallets as a solid part inside the structure.
  6. We connect all the elements with boards that are nailed or screwed along the perimeter of the sides of the frame. We reinforce the joints with wooden blocks using a screwdriver and self-tapping screws.
  7. We make holes in the frame of the required diameter to install a good drainage system.
  8. After assembling the entire frame, we must firmly secure it with two secure tie straps in a circle at the top and bottom of the pool.
  9. We insert plastic pipes into the holes prepared in advance for supplying and draining water.
  10. In order to further strengthen our frame, we drive wooden pegs into the distance between the pallets and the walls of the pit.
  11. We fill the bottom of the pool with 10 mm of concrete solution and leave it for 5–7 days for it to completely harden.
  12. After the concrete has dried, we begin waterproofing work. To do this, we take a thick polyethylene film and lay it over the entire inner surface of the pool. We secure it with tape to the sides.
  13. We can decorate the outer sides of the pool frame with OSB, chipboard or fiberboard, as they will help hide all the unaesthetic elements of the pallet fastenings. You can also quickly and inexpensively decorate the frame with ordinary rolls of reeds, bamboo, etc. fastened together.

Video: DIY pool made from pallets

Nuances of care and operation

It is necessary to carefully care for such a pool. Regularly check the plastic film for cuts or other damage that could allow water to leak through. Over time, even a small leak from a small hole will damage the wooden frame (mold, rot will appear, the wood will swell, etc.).

Periodically, you will need to drain the water and thoroughly wash the pool of sand, dirt and other debris. If you don't have good filters, you will have to change the water often, and this is very expensive, so it is best to purchase a good water purification device once. You can even use a homemade sand filter, which is the most common among summer residents who make their own pools.

Also, once a year or several years, if necessary, it will be necessary to re-treat the wooden parts of the pool with special impregnations.

Swimming pool at the dacha made of PVC bottles

Calculation of materials

Plastic bottles have already become an almost integral attribute of summer residents, as they use them to make many different items for their summer cottage: furniture, fences for flower beds and front gardens, hotbeds and greenhouses, including swimming pools.


Tools for work

  • Shovels (you can order a small excavator).
  • Electric screwdriver.
  • Concrete mixer.
  • Bucket for garbage, water and solution.
  • Minimum 10 meter tape measure.
  • Pegs and strong cord.
  • Large corner.
  • Level (rule) and plumb.
  • Marker or pencil.
  • Hardware (nails and screws).

Construction stages

  1. We choose a flat area and clear it well. Such a pool will stand perfectly on a slab foundation.
  2. We dig a flat pit measuring 4x2 meters and 15 centimeters deep.
  3. We level the bottom of the pit and compact it well. We pour sand (slightly moistened) on top and distribute it evenly around the entire perimeter, and then compress it to a layer of 15 cm. We also fill in a small layer of gravel.
  4. We make formwork from wide boards, and to prevent the frame from falling apart, we hammer wedges into the ground from the outer sides.
  5. We make a lattice from reinforcement (diameter 8 mm) in order to strengthen the base. We tighten the connecting points of the rods with wire. The grid cell is approximately 10x10 cm, and its area is 8 square meters.
  6. We lay such a frame made of reinforcement on the bottom so that it does not come into contact with the sand. And for this we install a small support made of broken bricks. And then we put the frame on top.
  7. We supply the necessary pipes for supplying and draining water.
  8. We pour the concrete solution and level it well with a special tool (a rule or just a flat board).
  9. Let the solution harden for 5–7 days.
  10. Then we move on to laying walls from PVC bottles and for this we mark out the geometry of the pool.
  11. We fill each bottle with sand and screw on the lid. Then we apply a wide strip of solution to the marking.
  12. From reinforcement (diameter 0.3 mm) we make a frame that will serve as a connecting element between rows of plastic bottles.
  13. We place the bottles very tightly next to each other on the cement mortar, and fill the resulting gaps between them with cement. After we have laid the first row, we fill it with cement and lay a frame of reinforcement.
  14. We remove the formwork and begin masonry with bottles until we have a wall of the required height. If our pool is round, then in the center of the structure we install a homemade compass in the form of a metal pin with a horizontal crossbar, which will help you not deviate from the radius.
  15. We leave our walls for 5-7 days so that the cement mortar is completely dry. After this we begin to plaster the walls. We cover the inner surface of the pool with bitumen as waterproofing.
  16. Next we begin finishing work. We take a plastic film, which is necessary for arranging the interior of the pool. We lay it well, stretch it, cut off the excess, and weld the joints and carefully treat them with special glue or sealant.
  17. Now you can decorate the area around the pool at your own discretion.

Care and operation

In order to keep the water in the pool clean, it is necessary to install appropriate filters.