There is a different way than the one seen in the article dedicated to building a DIY inground pool.
It is a faster method and also cheaper.
Which one?
The one with pallets, the wooden supports that are commonly used for transporting goods.
Today we're going to delve into all the procedures to build the pool with simple pallets.
Are you ready? Let's get started!
Step 1 - Prepare the soil
Choose a flat area of your yard.
If it does not exist but you still want to install it in that area, take steps to make the ground flat.
The area must obviously be commensurate with the pool you have imagined.
Before proceeding with the installation, I recommend that you read this article on permits to build a pool in your garden.
Step 2 - Install the pallets
First, lay down a protective mat at the base of your future pool.
In this way you will protect the PVC coating from possible damage and unintentional punctures.
Take the pallets and arrange them in the shape you want. Given the shape of the pallets, I recommend that you arrange them in a circle. Circular pallets provide greater stability.
To give even greater stability to the structure, insert metal poles to support the pallets by planting them on the ground at least 10 inches deep. This is an excellent safety measure against water and ground pressure while bathers are in the pool.
Now hook the pallets to each other with hinges or accessories of the same effectiveness. Afterwards, pass a strong rope between the pallets with tensioners to be tightened as much as possible.
For greater stability of the structure you can mount wooden poles at an angle between the structure and the ground, so as to use them as buttresses.
Step 3 - Interior Lining
Lining is the most difficult part of building a pool with pallets.
Before explaining how to do it, I remind you that equally challenging and important is to treat the wood of the pallets.
In fact, since it must resist water and humidity, it must be protected with an impregnating agent or a protective varnish, otherwise it could cause structural failure in the long term.
Another thing to do before covering the pool with PVC is to protect the interior.
You have two ways to do this:
- the first is to install rigid panels of aluminum, steel or plywood in the interior of the pool, which is a less economical method but gives you even greater stability of the structure;
- the second is to use a material similar to that used for the pool deck, i.e. a resistant mat.
Once this is solved, you can install the liner.
To do this, you can choose two solutions, one cheaper, the other less so.
The cheaper one is to choose pre-welded bag liners. They are more convenient to install but you will have to take the pool's measurements in advance for a perfect installation.
The most expensive, on the other hand, is the weld-on roll liner. Since it is not pre-welded and the welding operations are more difficult, it will cost you more time unless you get help from someone more experienced.
Attaching the liner is a difficult operation in itself.
To make it easier I recommend:
- drill the liner
- screw it onto the inside high edge of the pallet
- install an edge that is higher than the edge of the pallet so that it blocks the liner.
One aspect that I recommend you consider before installing the pallets is to make an edge with upper boards larger than those of the rest of the pallet to make the attachment of the liner even more stable. Remember that these upper edges must be treated against water and humidity as you did for all the pallets.
To move on to the final liner fixing operations, place the inner liner first, then start pouring water to crush it to the bottom.
Only then do you lock it in place at the top and finish the operation with the locking procedures from the outside.
Step 4 - Pool Filtration
A pool cannot be called complete without a filtration system.
If you have installed a Small Pool Out Of Wooden Pallets, a cartridge filter will be enough.
If, on the other hand, your pool is at least 13-16fts in diameter, then I suggest you consider a sand filtration unit, which will allow you to have the water cleaned in 4-5 hours.
Obviously you cannot afford to leave the filtration unit outdoors, as water or weather could damage it and compromise the operation of the pool.
Therefore, I recommend you to think about installing a technical room.
Here you will find the main instructions to design a technical room with DIY.
Another key component of a pool is the skimmer, which keeps the waterline clean by filtering out dirt and debris.
You can choose either a floating skimmer or provide for the installation of overflow skimmers, both have the same function.
Also, remember to purchase inlets for your pool.
Step 5 - Last steps
If you have decided you want to make the pool more aesthetically pleasing, you might think of covering the outer walls with plywood panels, making holes suitable for the passage of the pipes of the filtration system.
Beyond the purely aesthetic side, another accessory to buy is definitely the ladder, so as to enter the pool without damaging the construction by leaning on full weight.
Is your pool ready?
Well, then dive in and enjoy it!