Swimming pools can be a great addition to your home. Allowing you to cool off after working hard, relax with family, or entertain guests. While the idea of building one yourself may seem straightforward, there are actually a number of factors to consider before doing so. This article will go over a few of the most essential considerations before starting construction on your outdoor oasis.
Table of Contents
Geography
Where are you located? This can have a dramatic effect on the type of pool that you will be able to build. Most pools can be built above ground, but you will need to dig down a few feet to secure water. If you live in a particularly wet place, you may experience flooding issues. In these cases, you would need to build your pool in dug-out trenches, or install a pool pump.
Clay Soil
Clay soil is everywhere. Most notably, it makes up the vast majority of the North American continent. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where the soil is not too heavy, you may be able to build your pool without too much difficulty. In areas where the soil is particularly heavy, you may need to hire a professional excavator to help you with the digging required for your pool. You will also need to take special precautions to safeguard yourself from contracting silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis. This is where inhaling clay dust comes into play. Preventative measures include wearing masks and protective clothing, and using dedicated machines to process the soil.
Time Of Year
The time of year can have a significant impact on the ease of construction of your pool. If you are fortunate enough to be able to start building your pool in the summer, you will find that it is relatively easy to do so. The soil will be loose and dug-out trenches can be easily filled in with gravel, stone, or concrete. Be sure to secure any surface areas around your pool with fencing, as well as drain the pool thoroughly to prevent any mishaps during the winter months.
Water Supply
Your pool will need to be fed with fresh, clean water. There are various ways to do this, depending on where you live. One of the easiest and most practical options is to use an outdoor fountain. These fountains are quite popular and can be easily found in most large garden centers. They also happen to be quite the conversation piece, so you may end up creating a small pool of people standing around your garden, talking about how wonderful it is.
Fluid
The fluid factor relates to how the water in your pool should be handled. Options include allowing the water to run free, using a pool pump, or using a fountain pump. Pumps are a great choice when you are in charge of the water supply, as they allow you to regulate the amount of water in your pool based on your needs. You may choose to use one of the many residential pool pumps on the market today. These pumps are sized appropriately for individual pools, and they also feature check valves, designed to prevent any backflow from occurring regardless of the orientation of the pump.
Indoor/Outdoor
This factor relates to whether or not you will be using your pool inside or outside. If you decide to build your pool indoors, you will need to provide it with adequate ventilation, as well as a means of draining, if you decide to keep it above ground. In order to keep your pool clean and bug-free, you will need to install a system for filtration. Indoor pools are usually smaller in size than outdoor ones, due to space constrictions. This means they are less stable, and more likely to cause damage or injury, if mishandled or dropped on the ground.
Height
The height of your pool will determine how much space you have above ground. Pools that are ten feet or more in height are commonplace, and they provide their owners with a memorable view of the surrounding landscape. If you have an area where you don’t want to build your pool due to the surrounding terrain, you may need to settle for an outdoor one that is less than ten feet in height. This may mean you have to find a way to raise it above ground level, using a lift device, or by digging trenches around it.
Furniture & Toys
Depending on how much room you have above ground, you might also want to consider the type and size of furniture and toys you will utilize around your pool. For instance, if you have a small area, you may want to forgo the luxury of an outdoor pool, and opt for a smaller indoor one. If you don’t have much room at all, you may want to consider an above-ground pool, due to the fact that they provide a more stable base, and they also tend to be larger in size, due to the lack of space around them.
Lighting
If you live in a place where the lighting is particularly poor, you may want to consider installing some overhead lighting, or using underwater lighting around the pool area. Underwater lighting provides a much better balance between light and dark, as well as a much more pleasant atmosphere around your pool area in general. When it comes to choosing light bulb types, you will want to opt for environmentally friendly options, such as CFLs and LEDs.
Access
When it comes to accessing your pool, you will need to look into whether or not you will have room for a car parked outside. Pools that are accessed via an external vehicle entrance provide great flexibility and convenience, as well as increased safety for the owner or user. If you don’t have enough room for a car, you may want to consider a more discrete entrance via a flight of stairs, or an enclosed walkway. This provides you with a sense of privacy and security, while still allowing anyone to conveniently enter the pool area.
Drink Station
Drink stations around the pool are a great way to make the pool area more relaxing and comfortable. These drink stations provide cold soft drinks and fresh ice, which makes them a welcome addition to your pool area. Some of these drink stations are even equipped with draft beer dispensers, making them an attractive option for adults who enjoy a drink or five after a tough day at the office.
Children
If you have children around the age of three or four, you may want to consider the safety measures around your pool area. Kids around this age are particularly curious, and they may try to climb into or in your pool, regardless of whether or not you are watching them. This can cause serious injuries or sicknesses, particularly if they fall in.
Rental
If you decide to rent out your pool for parties or other gatherings, you will want to take appropriate measures to provide sufficient security and comfort for those who visit or stay at your property. This includes choosing a nice pool deck chair, or seating area, as well as providing cushions and scatter rugs around the area. You should also think about soundproofing the pool area, if you don’t want to disturb your neighbors with loud music or other distractions.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing the perfect pool for your personal or professional use. Not every location is suitable for every type and size of pool, so take the time to research the ideal setting for your needs and desires. With these tips in mind, you will be able to build the perfect pool to fit your lifestyle.