11m x 4m outdoor swimming pool in 3 weeks (with paving)

[JulianPH]

I've just found out that the person who did the spec on this pool also went for the premium polished metal fittings for the lights/jets/etc. rather than the standard plastic ones.

I think that was mentioned to me at outset, but a nice surprise to see them and be reminded!

[JulianPH]

S100HP said:

How have I missed this thread?

Great work OP.

Thanks!

[JulianPH]

More pics of the external brass and stainless steel fittings...

[JulianPH]

As I have already said, someone else did the spec on this pool and if I wanted it I had to take it at that level of spec.

The electric slatted hard solar cover was £13k. Then there was the cost of the pit to hide it underground when open. They also added massage jets and the pump needed to power these and the upgrade from plastic fittings on everything to polished metal. I also added additional pool lighting. Finally there was the cost of immediate delivery from Germany to the UK in days.

So it was not a £60k shell (probably closer to £30k) but all the extras add up to that price.

[JulianPH]

El stovey said:

Zippee said:

Just a random question but are the Jacuzzi jets confined to one area of the pool or are they all round making one giant Jacuzzi?

Can you turn them all in one direction to make a giant whirlpool?

Urgh... turning on One Direction in my daughter's swimming pool



The 4 jets are in one area. At about £1,000 per jet for the pump to power them (on top of the fitting and plumbing cost) I am very happy they are only 4!

It is likely to be the most used area of the pool with my daughter and wife!

[JulianPH]

magooagain said:

I may be wrong but I imagine the contractor will backfill with a non disturbing type of backfill material. To give easy compaction and easy access if required.

Last thing you would want is to be firing clay/soil backfill over pipes cables etc.

You are not wrong! Nick knows what he is doing.

[JulianPH]

Some of the fittings...







And one more of the crane, just because!

[JulianPH]

Final picks of the day. The pool area is going into shade now but with the concrete down I thought I would share some pictures of the area so you can see how I have planned it half as a walled courtyard area and half opening up to the garden and house.

To start with, this is the drainage cover we are using to collect any rainwater before it hits (by one or two feet - ask Nick!) the brickwork...




Here is the courtyard area...







And more of the area in relation to the house...









Right, I think that is it until Monday. The crane has had to be moved back until 1:00pm, but it will be another hectic week positioning, plumbing, wiring and back filling/in filling the pool.

Have a great weekend everyone and I'll try to answer any questions asked. Any design ideas for the pool area are always welcome!

Cheers

Julian

[JulianPH]

lrdisco said:

Dave_ST220 said:

Having seen what concrete burns can do please get the right kit on next time! If there is a next time...

I know. I've got scars on my legs from a previous encounter with concrete.
Upside my work boots got a really good wash after.

Cheers Nick

Everyone praising me needs to know Nick (lrdisco) deserves all the praise. Seriously.

Yes, the idea came from my mind, but Nick and his team (even Richard and his baby cup!) are the ones making it happen.

Just to give credit where it is due;

• Nick (and team) are running the whole instillation (just get in touch with Nick)

• The pool is from Riviera (in Germany). Ask for Christian

• The UK branch is Asher Swimpools. (John)

• Also the UK department for Riviera (a different John!)

Have a great weekend everyone and relax and enjoy.

Julian

Edited for stupidity!

Edited by JulianPH on Friday 14th July 20:17

[JulianPH]

LeadFarmer said:

JulianPH said:

Did you seize the opportunity to bury any enemies under that concrete?

You did, didn't you

[JulianPH]

ASA569 said:

It's a wet, miserable morning up here in NE Scotland and this thread has made my day. Awesome build and you have one lucky daughter. I hope she has many fun days swimming in the pool

pssst OP, want any water? We have heaps we don't need up here

Thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated - just as it is with everyone whi has taken the time to make such positive comments!

I thought I would be enjoying a rest this weekend but I am bored already with no work going on. It is a bit deflating after everything achieved over the last few days!

[JulianPH]

rich350z said:

Ha what a fantastic read on a wet Saturday.

Thanks for all the details. There can never be too many photos!

Looking forward to Mondays progress now.

Thank you! The crane has been put back until 1:00pm for Monday so it should be another exciting day. Then we have the trenches to be dug, the plumbing and electrics and the plant room (a summer house looking shed!) to get into play before laying drainage, hardcore and paving. Furniture and plants to follow that.

It is going to be an exciting week or two!

[JulianPH]

ColinM50 said:

Interesting project, well done and good luck with it.

Only point I would make is that I had a pool installed in the house we owned in France and when the pool was installed all the pipes to the skimmers, the lights and the one in the bottom of the pool were "cemented" in. The installer said that ensures they can never leak. Oh really? We had a bulb go in one of the lights and whilst could replace the bulb fairly easily, it had corroded and the whole thing needed replacing. Had to drain down the pool and dig up a big chunk of the patio concrete to get to it.

So I'd advise that you make sure everything's easily maintainable.

We also had a leak and identified it was likely to be from the drain in the middle of the pool. So how would you get to that to fix it? Fortunately I sold the house before the problem had to be addressed but??????????????

Thanks for that. I'll keep it in mind when we do the install. I want to keep potential future problems to a minimum!

[JulianPH]

Adz The Rat said:

What a brilliant, brilliant thread!!

Cheers Adam, appreciated! More to come next week...

[JulianPH]

surveyor said:

Indeed. Thread is great.

I'll look forward to the updates in a few months when Julian realises what having a pool is really like You will quickly realise what a good idea the expensive cover is. Make sure you have some way of getting the rubbish off the top that does not land the rubbish in the pool


Yes I am off to vacuum ours in a moment. Yes I hate that job. Then I've got the water testing to do... Some chemical stuff required no doubt.... Then there are a couple of tiles that have come free and need refixing.....

Thanks! Garden hoover for me too!

To be honest it is the part of the garden with the least debris. Obviously the pool will magnify whatever there is, but it will be a learning curve. If it ends up really bad I'll put some hooks in for tarp that covers the whole pool plus an extra metre per side and keep it closed during the cold, windy and debris falling months.

Right now thou, I want to try and see if we can make it work all year round - a giant hot tub when it is cold!

[JulianPH]

lrdisco said:

To be honest I can't wait to get back on site. Big week ahead but the lads are all excited about the project.
It shows what a guy Julian is that the lads want to work for him. It's a pleasure working for him.
This is not me being nice. It's just how it is.

Cheers mate, this is not a normal build and doesn't feel like one. You and your team have been fantastic and achieved so mu in 3 days with major delays with the plant hire. You're not recommended, you are required!

Seriously. If you have a project, do speak with Nick. He will just give you the truth and then it is up to you. You can se what he has achieved in 3 days here...

[JulianPH]

mickk said:

What's his tea making like?

Crap, but much better than my coffee making!

Richard asked for a coffee on morning one. He asked for tea from then on!

(in his baby cup!)

[JulianPH]

Mr Pointy said:

Personally I'm disappointed the crane is coming back.

We want to see the helicopter involved!

OK, I get the message!!!

How about I have my daughter lowered into the finished pool by a helicopter?

(I was joking!)

[JulianPH]

Bungleaio said:

Fantastic stuff op thanks for sharing the build with us.

Having your own pool will be amazing, I will think of you whilst I'm jostling for position in my local leisure centre with all the other minions. I had lane to myself for about 10 minutes last night and felt like a king, Lord knows what it feels like to do lengths in your own pool!

I don't know either! Probably brilliant. It is really for my daughter, but of course the boss (wife) and I will enjoy it when we can.

It has taken a huge amount of hard work and years to get to the point where I am lucky enough to do it!

[JulianPH]

Wacky Racer said:

Twenty feet?

Pah, if you're going to have one have a big 'un.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDqN8sEl6oE

Jesus!!! 172 feet! Of course I do have a similar toned body