As backyards evolve into full-fledged outdoor living spaces, installing a swimming pool or spa has become the ultimate way to create a private backyard oasis. Beyond just looking Instagram-worthy, adding recreational water features maximizes opportunities for family bonding, exercise, and hosting lively gatherings with friends.
But constructing a custom aquatic playground in your yard might seem out of reach — most homeowners balk at the potential complexities and costs. This is where the DIY pool movement comes in.
More and more homeowners are taking backyard construction into their own hands, building budgets pools and spas as weekend projects. With the right planning and preparation, you can elevate your outdoor entertaining possibilities without breaking the bank.
Installing your own inground or an above-ground pool or spa takes dedication but saves you thousands. Time to explore this online resource to see how even novices can build their backyard water feature dreams!
Assessing Your Needs and Budget
The prospect of a DIY water feature likely sparks visions of gleefully cannonballing from a poolside diving board. Before letting your imagination run wild, take time to assess practical considerations like your budget and lifestyle needs. This helps match your project scope to your resources.
Determining Your Vision
What will you primarily use your DIY water feature for? Consider key usage factors:
Do you envision brisk morning laps in a large rectangular lap pool?
Is a small-but-deep plunge pool for cooling off after yard work more your style?
Will kids and pets be frequent users?
Ideally, the size, shape and depth should facilitate your family's primary activities. If unsure, observe how you use other areas of your yard over a whole season to pinpoint what design will maximize enjoyment.
Design and Construction
After deciding between above-ground and inground varieties and calculating required investments, establish an installation plan. Carefully consider dimensions, materials and technical steps before breaking ground. Planning ensures you don't excavate massive craters that never get filled!
Planning the Layout
First, develop an accurate site map of your yard that includes locations of septic tanks, electrical lines, fences, gardens and other land features. This helps orient the water feature's placement and dimensions within property constraints.
Optimally position the pool/spa far from overhead trees and power lines and oriented away from prevailing winds. Such orientation prevents excess shade, falling debris and rapid evaporation that accelerates chemical consumption.
Choosing a Shape
Common pool shapes include rectangles, ovals, circles, kidneys and freeform lagoons. Their structural geometry depends on designed usage, yard dimensions and style preferences. Formal rectangular or curved oval designs blend with classic landscaping while freeform shapes create tropical vibes.
Kidney bean and figure-eight shaped models maximize playspace for sports, games and floating chaise lounges. Their curved lobes and narrow sections add unique visual interest to backyards. For small or narrow plots, narrow lap pools keep open space.
Selecting Building Materials
DIY water feature shells commonly use steel, resin, reinforced concrete or rigid polystyrene under interior vinyl laminates that contribute structural integrity and waterproofing. Light gray concrete offers a basic blank canvas while vibrant cool deck resins, streaked aggregate and pebble applications create dazzling chromatic effects.
Bolder designers might opt for artistic inset tile mosaics, custom logos or prints. Contrast interior surfaces with exterior materials like locally-sourced boulders, stone veneers and wooden vertical siding that mimic saunas. Such creative applications transform pools and tubs from mere utility fixtures into show-stopping backyard art installations!
Sourcing Equipment
Critical circulating components convert stagnant water pits into enjoyable backyard amenities. Carefully source pumps, filters, chlorinators, lights and other accessories that suit your project's scale and regional climate conditions.
Opt for pumps that exchange entire water volumes every 6-8 hours and filters that strain particulates down to 20 microns. Sanitizing chemical feeders dispense 12% lithium hypochlorite or cal hypo tablets. For evening fun, low-voltage LED lighting adds drama without risking electrocution.
Automation systems maintain chemical equilibriums and heating continuity during vacations for constant enjoyment upon every homecoming. With such equipment properly integrated into construction, you'll return home to a resort-worthy oasis every evening!
Maintenance and Safety
With backyard resorts built, effectively care for and secure their ongoing enjoyment. Adhere to seasonal opening and closing procedures, uphold sanitary conditions and safeguard visitors. Who knows, after a successful installation you could be looking at starting your own pool company.
Following Best Opening/Closing Practices
As seasons shift, properly activate or deactivate systems to prevent weather and disuse damages. In spring, clear away debris then test chemical levels and recirculate shock treatments that sanitize stagnant water. Confirm all accessories activate then inspect for leaks or cracks needing repairs after winter strains.
Closing procedures before winter involve clearing final debris then adding algaecide shocks to prevent off-season microbial blooms. Drain accessory lines and filters then disconnect all equipment from power sources. For inground models, lower water levels below outlet openings and plug openings with screw-in gizmos.
Maintaining Water Quality and Chemistry
Routinely test pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and sanitizer levels then balance accordingly, typically using pool test kits. pH dictates water comfort while proper hardness and alkalinity prevent pipe corrosion and staining. Together with consistent shocking, these measures inhibit algae and pathogens.
If balancing chemicals still yield discolored, itchy or smelly water, address the specific issue. Implement metal removers, clarifiers or enzyme cleaners for resolute backyard enjoyment all season long!
Winterizing
In freezing regions, properly winterizing your pool saves extensive repairs from spring thaw cracks. As mentioned for closing, drain all accessory lines, disconnect intakes from power sources, plug openings and maintain lower water levels.
Additionally insulate above-ground pool walls with foam barriers and waterproof casings that resemble bubble wrap. Inground models benefit from hydrostatic relief valves that allow groundwater pressure release.
Implement such measures before hard frosts settle in so backyard resorts thrive through years of seasonal shifts.
Ensuring Safety
Welcome guests to clean, secure backyard amenities with compliant fencing, anti-entrapment drain covers, safety netting and liability signage. Install outdoor showers for rinsing filth before entry and place slip-resistant deck materials around the perimeter.
Ensure no power lines droop within 20 feet of the water and prune encroaching tree limbs. Also check local regulations regarding barriers between pools and property lines. Once insured and inspected, the legal liabilities don't have to drown the summer fun!
Getting the Most Enjoyment
After properly constructing and caring for your DIY backyard pool or spa, put it to good use! Turn stays into vacations, activities into togetherness and designs into self-expression with these suggestions.
Hosting Gatherings
From neighborhood potlucks to family reunions, pools naturally bring communities together as popular event venues. To maximize enjoyment, first set ground rules regarding supervision, cleaning responsibilities and equipment usage. Stock up on floats, toys, outdoor dishware/drinkware and games like cornhole, volleyball or Marco Polo.
Designate areas for food, fire up the grill, bring out ribs and homemade BBQ sauce. Then enjoy mingling and quiet relaxation as the day progresses. Play upbeat playlists that keep vibes light and lively. By planning both fun features and logistical details, everyone can let loose while you play the perfect party host!
Relaxing with Loved Ones
Balance high-energy gatherings with peaceful moments where yard amenities provide backdrops for meaningful connection. Stake out cozy conversational spaces and serene sunbathing nooks. Wrap up in plush towels and enjoy sunsets, peeking stars or morning bird songs. No disruptive crowds, just quality time reconnects.
For couples or parents, create occasions for engaging one-on-one interactions free from digital distractions. Kick back poolside with a cocktail, chat about goals, reminisce over past adventures or dream up future bucket list pursuits!
Getting Physical Activity
For those focused on fitness benefits, pools provide options from casual immersive yoga to determined laps, resistance sprints and challenging water polo matches. Use aquatic environments to prevent overheating during summer training sessions. Schedule individual lap lanes for whole families to swim at once without collisions!
Custom lighting installations even facilitate after-dark, blacklight Zumba dance parties! However you like to get your sweat on, DIY water features unlock backyard potential for new family workout regimens.
Immersing Yourself
Beyond physical activity, water uniquely immerses your entire being to dissolve stress and nourish wellbeing. The buoyancy creates near-weightless states while dynamic sensations against the skin soothe minds and focus awareness on the present moment. The properties lend themselves to meditative and even mystical experiences!
Submerge yourself to muted depths, embrace stillness and empty the mind. Then float back up and bob gently amid glints of light with ears just below the surface. Such multi-sensory immersion washes off accumulated mental gunk from busy lives.
Personalizing with Landscaping
Finally, an artistic DIY opportunity lies in landscaping choices that complement newly-built amenities. Arrange native flowering shrubs, grasses and vines to heighten sensory beauty. Contour gravel pathways leading visitors on a curated experience towards the water. Position cozy benches and bistro lighting to set relaxing moods or vibrant party tones.
Such purposeful planting around DIY water features fully realizes their potential as ultimate staycation destinations and homemade hangout hotspots! All parts of the garden will benefit from creatively crafted backyard designs.
In a Nutshell
Installing a custom pool or spa does require heavy investments of time, money and effort compared to inflatable kid pools from the corner store. But by elevating your outdoor entertainment infrastructure to DIY resort-worthy status, your family and friends will thank you for decades worth of meaningful memories centered around the backyard.
If the project vision aligns with your family's goals, the undertaking proves worthwhile. For guidance, leverage the collective knowledge from online resources and experienced contractors so no amateur errors detract from the finished product. With smart planning and patience putting designs into action, soon you'll have an aquatic oasis steps from your backdoor — maybe the ultimate dream for any homeowner!