HOW TO BUILD A SWIMMING POOL

How to Build a Swimming Pool Swimming pools are a great addition to a big back yard, creating a great way to spend time together as a family and get in some super fun exercise! It isn't the easiest building project, however. The average cost of a swimming pool, even if you're building it yourself, is about $25,000. Keep in mind that in most cities, you will not be allowed to build the pool yourself as you need to be a certified and licensed builder in order for the pool to be considered up to code. With these things in mind, get started with Step 1 to see what you can expect from the building process. Steps Edit 1 Design the pool. You'll want to start by designing the pool that you want to build. Will it be round? Square? How deep will it be? What color do you want the pool to be? The more complex the design, the higher the cost. 2 Get a permit. Get a contractor lined up and apply for a permit with your local city. You might also have to apply with your local home owner's association, as not all neighborhoods allow pools. Your contractor may be able to do both of these things for you, if they are an experienced and qualified service. Keep in mind that in some areas, pools are taxed extra and you could get in a lot of trouble for failing to register your pool with the city. It can be viewed as tax evasion. 3 Excavate the area. Rent the necessary construction equipment (usually at least a backhoe) and dig out the area where the pool will go. It is important to have your permit from the city at this point, as you don't want to risk running in to utility lines you didn't know about. 4 Grade the ground. You'll want to even out the ground as much as possible along what will become the bottom of the pool. This will make building the walls and putting in the floor much easier. There are many ways to grade the ground but if you are using a sloping floor, you'll definitely want someone with experience to do this. 5 Frame the walls. With the hole excavated and the land graded, you're ready to start putting in the walls. Start by framing the walls with wood and metal rebar. Make sure to keep the walls even and in line with each other. 6 Put in the plumbing. Get a licensed plumber to come in and add in the necessary plumbing for the pool. You will need to create a supply and filtration system which meets the codes for your area. Only a plumber with pool experience should be hired as an inexperienced one can ruin your pool. 7 Run the electricity. Get an electrician to run power to your pool if it is needed for lights or the filtration system. This is another time where it is important to hire a professional, as you can imagine what bad wiring plus water leads to. 8 Pour the floor. With the plumbing and electricity roughed in, you can start building the actual walls and floor. Get a cement truck and pour the floor, grading and smoothing once it is poured. Make sure to pay attention to angle of the floor if making a pool with depth variation. 9 Build the walls. With the floor in place you can start building the walls. These are often made from cinder block or poured concrete. You will want to discuss the benefits of each with your contractor. Make sure that the walls are constructed with the tops even and at a reasonable level to the surrounding ground. 10 Finish the walls. Pools need some type of moisture barrier, to keep all of the water from simply leeching out. There are lots of different options so talk to your contractor about what's right for you. The most common options include: A basic plastic liner A real tile covering A plaster coating A sprayed plastic coating 11 Fill in the outside. Fill in the outside area behind the walls of the pool. This filling material will vary depending on where you live. Your contractor should be able to advise on the cheapest vs. safest options. 12 Fill the pool. With the pool complete, you'll just need to fill it up! Depending on how you had the pool plumbed, you can fill it from your own water supplies or you can have a water supply company come in and fill the pool. Enjoy! Advertisement Community Q&A How do I clean the water? Answered by wikiHow Contributor The pool's filter will do a lot of the cleaning for you. You can get a net to remove debris and/or a robotic vacuum that moves across the floor of the pool to keep it clean. 19 6 Where is the pump connected? Answered by wikiHow Contributor The drains on the bottom of the pool will hook to the input on the pump, the output of the pump will hook to the return at the end of the pool. 32 16 I have a concrete pool with a deteriorated vinyl liner. What are my best value options for a new finish/liner? Answered by wikiHow Contributor Fiberglass is the best option, as you will likely never have to replace it again, if maintained per manufacturer's guidelines. The annual and lifetime cost of a fiberglass liner is also much cheaper than vinyl and/or concrete. 3 0 How can I build a swimming pool without evacuating it? Answered by wikiHow Contributor Use wood beams and build it above ground like a farm fence, then you can order a plastic liner online to put over it. 18 9 How much does it cost for swimming pool construction? Answered by wikiHow Contributor The average cost of a swimming pool, even if you're building it yourself, is about $25,000. 6 8 How do I fibreglass glass line a pool? Answer How do I build a mini swimming pool? Answer How are swimming pools regulerly cleaned? Answer If I want to construct a pool in my terrace, can I follow the same method of draining with a pump installation and filling through local sources? Answer Show more unanswered questions Ask a Question Your question here Submit Video Edit Tips Edit Keep your pool clean. 135 Helpful? 45 Remove all the leaves and twigs that fall into your pool daily. 75 Helpful? 36 Don't forget to drain the pool before winter if you don't want a skating rink. 89 Helpful? 53 Get a swimming teacher if you or your kids can't swim. 94 Helpful? 60 Know a good tip? Add it. Add Warnings Edit Do not go swimming in thunderstorms. 91 Helpful? 25 Do your research BEFORE installation 78 Helpful? 25 Remember to find out the state regulations for home pools, as many places have requirements for barriers around the pool. 70 Helpful? 24 Be prepared to spend a lot of cash! 77 Helpful? 37 Do not run around the pool. 61 Helpful? 35 Related wikiHows Edit How to Repair a Swimming Pool Vinyl Liner How to Shock Your Swimming Pool How to Maintain Your Swimming Pool How to Find a Leak in Your Swimming Pool How to Change a Pool Light How to Drain and Refill Your Swimming Pool How to Install a Hot Tub How to Diagnose and Remove Any Swimming Pool Stain How to Build a Hot Tub Platform How to Close in an Unwanted In Ground Pool Advertisement Made Recently Did you try these steps? Upload a picture for other readers to see. Choose file About this wikiHow 357 votes - 80% Co-authors: 28 Updated: 18 weeks ago Views: 339,788 Categories: Swimming Pools Spas and Hot Tubs Sources and Attribution Reader Success Stories "Water heating and lighting systems." Supriya Pandey - Mar 30, 2017 More reader stories Did this article help you? Yes No StepsCommunity Q&AVideoTipsWarningsRelated wikiHowsReader Pictures Surprise Me! wikiHow to...