How to Build an In-Ground Pool with a DIY Kit
DIY Pool Kit. The guide for a perfect installation.
Do you want to build your in-ground pool completely by yourself? Zavattishop's pool kits are what you need!
Pool kits are divided into four categories: Basic, Design, Skimmer Kart, and Classic.
The Basic Kit is the simplest and fastest system to build your in-ground pool at very low costs and is equipped with a backpack filter monoblock; no plumbing preparation is needed, no pipes, all filtration happens through the monoblock. You only need to prepare the space where it will be placed.
The Design Kit, on the other hand, comes with a filter wall. In this case too, no special preparation is needed, just the space to position the monoblock, which is completely buried. We therefore have a better aesthetic impact while maintaining the speed and simplicity of Easyblok construction.
The Skimmer Kart Kit is the absolute novelty, an industrial filter cartridge directly integrated into the skimmer. This means excellent filtration quality with a significant simplification of the filtration system (fewer pipes, no pipes connecting skimmer to filter are needed). Aesthetically impactful, thanks also to the design of the overflow skimmer which has a wide and high mouth, giving an effect similar to infinity pools.
Finally, the Sand Line Kit is suitable for installers with a traditional sand filter filtration system. All products are quality certified made in Italy.
In any case, if you have purchased a DIY pool kit, you will be wondering how to best install it.
For this reason, Danny from Zavattishop, your pool expert, has written a small guide for a perfect installation.
Essential tools for pool construction
Hammer
Assorted steel nails
Concrete impact drill
Long concrete drill bit sized for rebar
American wood saw
American wood hacksaw
Cutter
Measuring tape
Tracing line
Pegs (16 pcs)
Laser level
Tips and installation guide:
- After choosing where to place the pool and its dimensions, mark out the area where it will be built. The excavation must be the size of the water mirror + 50 cm per side (as per the pool kit drawing). So, for example, if the kit is for a 3 x 6 m pool, the excavation must be 4 x 7 m. To make a perfect tracing, you need to get 16 pegs. Eight will be used to establish the water mirror dimensions and another eight for the final excavation. (see drawing). It is useful to draw the excavation with white chalk so that the excavator can work without uncertainty.
After positioning the pegs on the ground, measure the diagonals with the measuring tape to check for squareness. The pegs must remain fixed until the structure is assembled, so that the accuracy of the installation can be checked at any time.
2. Perform the excavation. The excavation requires a lot of attention; you will need to calculate the depth exactly to ensure that the finished pool has the desired height, so that it is not too low compared to the surrounding ground but not too high either (unless for aesthetic reasons).
The excavation depth will be the sum of the pool height (usually 150 cm) + 20 cm (average slab/bottom plate height). The excavation should be considered from your zero point, i.e., from your finished pool level. For example, if your garden is your zero point, you will need to excavate 170 cm for a 150 cm high pool.
3. Build the slab. The concrete slab should be about 20 cm thick, with double electro-welded mesh, perfectly level and as smooth as possible. In these cases (unless otherwise specified) the recommended CLS concrete type is Rck 30/s4 medium aggregate.
4. Structure assembly. Assembling the Easyblok formwork is the fastest and most enjoyable part, but it is necessary to always keep linearity and levels under control.
First of all, transfer the pool dimensions from the peg references to the bottom of the newly built slab (the slab can be walked on after 24 hours).
Then lay the first row of formwork with the male facing downwards and lay the horizontal rebar (as per technical drawing).
After that, close the corners with male-female end caps (see photo/video).
Proceed with the installation of the second row of Easyblok, interlocking them like bricks, so that each installed formwork blocks 2 underneath. It is recommended to always start from the corner.
Recheck the squareness and alignment of the structure and then block it with a pin bar. A bar should be inserted every meter, drilling through the slab (see photo/video).
Once the structure is blocked, proceed with drilling the slab. A hole must be made every 25 cm, i.e., every hole, and in a zig-zag pattern (see drawing).
Once the entire perimeter is drilled, proceed with the installation of all rows, inserting the horizontal rebar.
Before installing the last row, insert the vertical rebar into the previously made zig-zag holes.
5. After installing the last row of formwork, proceed with interlocking the patented aluminum guide profile. Check the squareness levels and alignment of the profiles, as they will be the starting point for the pool lining and the zero point of your flooring.
6. Pour the structure. For pouring, use Rck 30/s4 pumped CLS cement (unless otherwise indicated). Pour it inside the formwork at the expansion joints to dampen any water hammer. Fill the walls in two passes (see photo/video).
Once the walls are poured, recheck the alignment of the walls and then proceed with cleaning the inside of the tank.
N.B. it is not necessary to vibrate the cement inside the formwork.
In the case of an in-ground pool, you can insert the lateral connecting irons into the still fresh cement around the perimeter of the structure. These irons are necessary to connect the structure to the outdoor paving (see video photos).
7. If you are installing a Basic kit, prepare the appropriate niche outside, not forgetting to bring electricity.
8. After 20 days (the time required for concrete curing), backfill. DO NOT use clay but use suitable material such as sand, gravel, etc.
9. Lay the lining sheet. This phase must be carried out after the exterior finishes. The flooring must also be completed before laying the liner, to work in a clean environment and in a simple and fast way.
If you purchased the heat-sealable PVC sheet in the kit, you will need to get a welder or contact a specialized company for a professional installation. If, on the other hand, the kit contains a pre-formed bag liner, you can lay it yourself. At least two people are needed.
After laying the liner and completing the construction, you can fully enjoy your pool!
And remember that Danny, your pool expert, is always at your disposal via email, chat, live in the showroom, or via WhatsApp at 3341491755.