| So you would like a swimming pool but the cash outlay | | | | couple of inches of concrete will do just to get a level |
| is holding you back. You could build your own if you | | | | base for our blocks. Lay your blocks right round to the |
| were game. To have a pool installed now is pretty | | | | height you want and the first block will be one with a |
| expensive. Especially some of those state of the art | | | | hole in one side for your reinforcement to come |
| pools with stone waterfalls etc. But, like I said, it is not | | | | through. Back fill on the outside of the blocks with |
| difficult to do your own and you could end up with | | | | some of the dirt. Lay mesh reinforcement in the floor |
| something pretty unique and save a bit of money. | | | | and the pre-cut rods from your material list down |
| The first place to start is some of the concrete block | | | | through the block wall and out into the floor mesh and |
| manufacturers, Some of them actually have a | | | | out the top and over the pile of dirt. Lay some other |
| swimming pool block designed for you to build your | | | | lighter mesh over the pile of dirt at a random level and |
| own pool. To assist you they will provide a complete | | | | tie it all together with wire. Install your hydrostatic valve |
| set of plans and engineered specifications for your | | | | in the floor and have your electrician run an earth wire |
| building authority along with the complete list of steel | | | | from the reinforcement to an earth pole. Install the leaf |
| reinforcement and the sizes and shapes required. So | | | | catcher and plumb it in as well as a return pipe to your |
| now you are ready to start so you need a hole in the | | | | highest part for a little waterfall. |
| ground. It is probably best to hire a digger of some sort | | | | Order your concrete and a concrete pump. Concrete |
| to do this unless you are feeling energetic. If you have | | | | the floor first and finish that with black ocher before |
| plenty of time on your hands you can dig a whole for | | | | you climb out and then fill the block wall. After the wall |
| an average size pool in about two weeks. There are | | | | cover all the pile of dirt right round the hole and just |
| not many that way inclined but it has been done | | | | finish it in a random fashion because it is going to look |
| especially when you have no access for machinery. | | | | like a big rock. Before the concrete is dry cover it with |
| Make your hole a random shape as you want | | | | black ocher sprinkled all over. Over that sprinkle |
| something a bit unique. Just throw all the dirt to the | | | | randomly other colored ocher in red and white and |
| outside of the hole as we will use it later. So now we | | | | orange. When the whole lot is dry it will look surprisingly |
| have a big hole and a pile of dirt right round the hole. | | | | like an large rock and maybe resemble an extinct |
| Next dig a pit at the deep end of the hole. This needs | | | | volcano filled with water. Lightly render the inside of the |
| to be about 3 feet square and 2 feet deep. This is | | | | wall with black colored render and give it the same |
| where our hydrostatic valve will go, at the lowest part | | | | sprinkled effect. Give the inside of your pool three |
| of the pool. The pit will be filled with stones. Then we | | | | coats of a good concrete tank sealer and the last |
| have to make a level foundation round the outside of | | | | coat can be colored too. |
| the hole ready for our block walls. You can get this | | | | Hook up a filter and pool pump and you are ready to |
| area level by using the garden hose with a short piece | | | | go. The kids are going to love it especially if you can |
| of clear tube at each end. Fill the hose with water and | | | | incorporate a rope swing over the top. They will have |
| have someone at each end adjusting the water so it is | | | | their very own jungle pool and will spend hours in it |
| level. | | | | having a ball. |
| This foundation doesn't have to be heavy and a | | | | |