How To Build a Small Concrete Pool
If you're looking for a way to add beauty and flair to your backyard, consider adding a small garden pool. In addition to beauty, these structures can add a sense of piece and a point of entertainment to any space. These small garden pools can be filled with a array of fish and plants to attract both birds and other wildlife to its natural beauty.
What You'll Need:
- Flour
- Concrete mix with pea gravel
- Concrete mixer
- Wire mesh
- Garden hose
- Shovel
- Trowel
- PVC primer and glue
- 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe with fittings
Instructions:
- Determine the size and the location where you plan to build your pool. Consider the size of your backyard as well as what area of your backyard would be most conducive for a pool when making your determination. Use your garden hose to make an outline of sorts for the size of the pool. It is important to keep in mind that the larger the pool, the more work it takes to properly construct it. Use your imagination to determine both the most ideal location and size.
- Determine whether or not you want a reflecting pool or one that constantly circulates flowing water. The pool type you choose determines whether or not you need to lay a PVC pipe as well as a circulating pump before you begin pouring your concrete. Remember, with larger pools its important to keep a continuous flow of water to prevent stagnation and guarantee proper oxygen flow.
- Take your flour and pour it around the perimeter of your garden hose. The white line that it creates makes it easier when you begin digging your hole.
- Use your shovel and start digging from the perimeter first. Make your way inward toward the center of the pool. Keep in mind your finished pool will be around 6 inches smaller than your markings. Countinue digging until you have surfaced about 3 1/2 feet. If you have chosen a pool option that needs to utilize a PVC pump, dig an area at least 2 feet deep along the outside of the pool for the pumping to properly fit. Should you need to repair these pumps in the future, you don't want to have to damage the concrete in order to do so. Plan your placement of the pumps with easy accessibility in mind.
- Use your shovel to dig a hole at the end of the pool that is the closest to where you intend to place your pump. Lay a single row of PVC pipe into the hole. Allow for one end of the pipe to lie within the pool around a foot and approximately about 6 inches above the level of the bottom of the pool. This will serve as the suction line that will draw the water from the pool inside the pump.
- Mix your concrete until it reaches a somewhat stiff texture. If your mixture is too loose or wet it will make it difficult to pack as well as shape when you are applying it. Be sure to wear gloves during this step to prevent accidents. Divide your pool area into sections and concentrate on laying your concrete one section at a time. Start with the side walls carefully working your way to the bottom of the pool applying the mixture about 3 inches thick. Once you have covered the entire area, lay the wire mesh and immediately cover it with an additional 3 inches of concrete. Be sure to overlap the wire mesh in each section, so that it resembles a continuous grid.
- Use a trowel to smooth the concrete as you go. Remember, however you lay your concrete is the same way it will dry.
- Ensure that the end of the PVC suction line is planted above the concrete bottom and tightly pack your concrete around it.
- Consider laying large rocks around the outside edge of your pool to give it both a more natural look and feel. Adding concrete in between the rocks will help them to stay in place.
- Trench the PVC section that you previously laid into the pool back to the pump to complete the plumbing to and from the pump. To plumb your return line, run the PVC line and fittings from the outer flow of your pump into the hole that you previously dug. You can choose to run the line back over the rocks or you can choose to create a waterfall to return the water to the pool with a pleasing cosmetic appearance.
- Fill your pool by tying a small rag around the end of the hose. The rag keeps the water flow from damaging the fresh concrete as it fills inside the pool. Allow the water to set overnight before you start the pump.
- Wait at least three days before adding fish to the pool. This allows the calcium carbonate to excrete from the concrete first.