The times when summer cottages were used exclusively for harvesting vegetables and berries are almost gone. Increasingly, people seek to relax and unwind in nature after a week of work.
The suburban pool copes with this task perfectly. Of course, this building is not essential, but it will deliver a lot of pleasant minutes.
Is it worth the candle?
The presence of a pool on the site is a great way to cool off in the summer heat. If it is large enough, then in its water you can not just splash in plenty, but make a real invigorating morning swim. And how much joy the appearance of the pool in the country will bring children! It will become a favorite place to play. Water treatments are a guarantee of great well-being.
The pool in the country will become a favorite place for children
Agree, a modern dacha is no longer like the gardens of past years. Now they go out of town not to be killed by planting cucumbers and carrots, weeding and other labor-intensive agricultural work. Today, the inhabitants of megalopolises, exhausted by the urban bustle, are increasingly turning estates into a zone of comfortable relaxation, and the pool in this case becomes an indicator of the quality of the latter.
The pool will make your holiday in the country more comfortable
The emergence of an artificial reservoir is not only a matter of prestige and comfort. It solves a number of problems. In addition to the fact that it will be possible to swim in it, its presence will create a special, truly health-improving microclimate in the resting place. If necessary, the pool can be used as a storage tank for irrigation.
The pool can successfully replace the irrigation tank
In general, the benefits of a reservoir are obvious, of course, provided that the container is correctly installed and used according to the instructions. In this case, he will really add vivid emotions to a country vacation.
Maintaining temperature conditions
No one will deny that swimming in cold water is a dubious pleasure. In regions where summer is not always characterized by high temperatures, it is advisable to additionally heat the water.
This can be done using a special heater, or you can make a large greenhouse around the pool. The latter method is suitable for those who have enough space for such buildings.
In conclusion, I would like to say that whichever pool you choose, with a reasonable approach and proper preparation, it will become a source of joy and pleasure for the whole family.
The pool in the country, what should it be?
The modern market offers pools of three categories:
1. Stationary.
2. Collapsible.
3. Inflatable.
They vary in size, shape and design. These are the parameters that will influence the choice. What exactly to stop at, you decide, based on personal preferences and landscape conditions of the site. In fairness, it must be said that each presented option is good in its own way.
There are many types of pools
Stationary models
Here the name speaks about everything. Such tanks are installed almost forever. This type of pool is available only in medium and large sizes.By the type of installation, they are divided into:
1. Wireframe.
Stationary frame pool
2. Frameless.
The latter are embedded in the ground.
To operate a pool of this type, it will need to be equipped with a variety of auxiliary systems. At a minimum, you will need to organize the water supply, take care of its purification and think about a way to drain. If this is not done, then literally in a couple of weeks you will be swimming in a muddy slurry. It is possible to abandon the cleaning system, but it is not necessary. Think, what will you do with every 14 days (or even more often, in hot weather) several tons of water that will need to be drained? And how much will it cost you to fill the pool in the country with a fresh one? So seemingly expensive purification systems will ultimately turn out to be a more profitable solution.
Stationary frameless pool
The built-in pool looks luxurious and if you are ready to overcome all the difficulties associated with its installation and organization of work, in particular the arrangement of underground utilities, which is a significant plus to expenditure items, then, of course, you should not refuse such an option. Otherwise, give preference to the wireframe analog. With its installation, everything will be much easier.
Assembling the frame pool takes less time
Many summer residents, having equipped a pool, tend to hide them under awnings or a retractable roof. This is a very good step to take as it will protect the tank from getting clogged by leaves and dust. As a result, the indoor pool, in the global sense of the word, will have to be cleaned much less often, about once every six months.
A canopy protects the pool from debris
When choosing a pool for your summer cottage, do not forget about the peculiarities of our climate. Many of the offered containers, even in the absence of water, will not withstand the effects of frost, so read the characteristics and look for frost-resistant products.
Collapsible models
The bottom-class pools are offered in small and medium-sized versions. The fact is that it is practically impossible to assemble a frame for a large tank on your own, and such a structure will cost enormous money.
Collapsible pool in the country
Collapsible pools are a godsend for unguarded summer cottages. It is collected and poured into it at the beginning of the season, and in the fall it is dismantled and sent to storage in the barn.
This type of pool also needs water filtration, but complex systems can be omitted. If these are small volumes, then it is easier to simply change the water more often or disinfect it with a variety of reagents, which are produced today of high quality and are completely harmless.
The collapsible pool is easy to clean with reagents
Inflatable models
It is clear that this category of “reservoirs”, in principle, cannot be implemented globally. And that's great! Due to the miniature size, the pool can appear in the dacha of the most limited area. The advantage of such tanks is that they are not at all problematic to store. The inflatable structure can be folded into a sofa or on a shelf. It is also a mobile solution. You can take the pool with you to picnics. Most often, children's fonts are presented in an inflatable design. They are easy to inflate even without special devices, and the water in them changes without difficulty.
Inflatable pool is the most economical option
For larger specimens, a metal frame is provided, assembled from hollow aluminum tubes. Its presence transfers the pool from the category of children's hot tubs to the category of adults.
Large inflatable pool with frame
Varieties
The types of pools can be as follows:
- frame;
- stationary;
- inflatable.
The main differences are in cost, operational convenience.Each option has its own pros and cons. The most popular are stationary variations.
What are modern pools made of?
When looking for a pool for a summer cottage, you need to know that these products can be made from a variety of materials. This is especially true for stationary models. Manufacturers prefer to work with polypropylene, plastic and composites.
Polypropylene pools have good characteristics and tolerate temperature shocks well. Such models can be operated all year round.
The polypropylene pool is suitable for year-round use
Plastic options are the most fragile and degrade at low temperatures. It is not taken for the manufacture of large tanks, but medium-sized plastic containers are not uncommon. It is also often used in the creation of folding structures and colored decorative pools.
Mid-size plastic pool
Composite models are considered the most practical and resistant to natural disasters. The material allows you to transform itself into any shape, so pools of all known sizes are made from it. Such a body will not be afraid of impacts from heavy objects. Its walls are almost impossible to scratch or deform. Such a pool will settle in the country for many, many years.
Composite pools are considered the most practical
All the types of pools considered have one common drawback. They have a standard, imposed by the manufacturer, appearance, so if you need a reservoir of an unusual shape, you will have to build it yourself. Expensive, but prestigious.
All ready-made stationary pools have a predetermined shape that cannot be changed
In any case, in order to equip your site with a pool, you either need to buy it ready-made and just install a reservoir or strain and build a reservoir from scratch. What you do is a question, however, building the pool yourself, embodying all your dreams in its design, is much cooler.
Tools for the job
To make a pool with your own hands, you must be able to work with such tools and devices:
- shovel;
- tape measure, level, plumb line;
- hacksaw;
- concrete mixer.
Of course, for work, buy work clothes and stock up on rags.
Filling methods
By the type of filling, pools are:
- overflow;
- skimmer.
For overflow options, a special grate is mounted along the perimeter of the tank, through which the water overflowing over the side is sent to the accumulator. The presence of such a system makes it possible to visually increase the size of the pool built in the country, moreover, it allows it to be filled to the very edges.
Overflow pool in the country
You can't fill skimmer pools like that. The water level should not reach the sides of at least 15 centimeters. Storage tanks are not provided for such tanks, so you should not simply spill the contents. The water supplied to the tank is cleaned through the skimmer. The option is inexpensive, therefore in demand in the private sectors.
Skimmer pools have no overflow protection
Fill
The concrete is prepared as usual. It is poured at once. The thickness of the screed must be at least 25 cm, but not more than 30. It is important, before pouring concrete, to lay a reinforcing mesh on the bottom.
Finishing methods
The suburban pool can be finished:
- PVC film,
- polypropylene,
- tiles,
- mosaics.
The film is available in rolls and comes in a wide variety of colors. The greatest demand is for turquoise, blue, white, blue shades. This type of finish has a dual role: aesthetic and waterproofing.
Finishing the pool with PVC film
Polypropylene is a high strength polymer with good weldability and resistance to aggressive environments.The excellent performance has made polypropylene a popular finish. Most often, material in blue-blue colors is purchased for decorating a pool in the country.
Blue-blue polypropylene in the decoration of the pool
As for mosaics and tiles, materials with a low percentage of water absorption are used for finishing the pool. Basically, public pools are trimmed with ceramics, but mosaics will be welcome in the countryside. It will allow you to harmoniously fit the reservoir into the environment and give it a new aesthetic sound. The water will sparkle with colors, and the tank itself will seem deeper.
Mosaic decoration of the pool will embody any of your design ideas
Where to locate
"If there is a zone with clay soil on your site, then there is no need to look for the best place to install a pool in the country."
It is not enough to equip the pool, in the future, you will have to take care of it, and so, start to facilitate this task for yourself even at the preparatory stage. When planning the location of your reservoir, you need to consider the following points:
1. If there is a zone with clay soil on your site, then there is no need to look for the best place to install a pool in the country. Clay will save in case of failure of waterproofing and will be able to stop water leakage.
Clay soils are ideal for pool setup
2. The soil where it is planned to set up a mini-water park must have a natural slope. In this case, it will be easier for you to dig a pit and choose a site for installing a drainage system.
3. Do not place your pool in the shade of tall trees. This neighborhood is fraught with big problems. Plants, sensing moisture, will pull their roots to it and will definitely damage the waterproofing. The list of the most "aggressive" is willow, poplar and chestnut.
The pool should be installed in an open area, away from trees.
4. The situation will not be better with the neighborhood with low-growing tree species. Leaves falling from them will constantly litter the water area.
5. Make a wind rose for your summer cottage and find out which direction is priority. Place the pool in the country so that the air moves along its bowl. In this case, all the dirt will be collected under one side, along the edge of which it would be reasonable to organize a drainage system.
6. The presence of a plumbing near the pool will facilitate filling the tank.
Expanded polystyrene
Gas-filled material will make the walls even, neat. The blocks are easy to assemble and inexpensive. They are fastened with grooves. They are cut with a small-toothed hacksaw. Insulation of openings for connecting equipment is made with polyurethane foam.
The ladder should be made during the laying of the walls, but if it is hinged made of metal, then it should be installed at the end. The voids are filled with concrete. After drying, you can proceed to decorate the bowl.
In any case, before you start making a swimming pond, you need to draw up a project, a work plan. Ideas can be viewed online, as well as supporting videos.
We calculate the sizes
The length and width of the pool are related to its intended use. If you are going to seriously swim in it, then choose a rectangular shape. Just splashing around will be much more comfortable in a round pond. You need something exotic - install bowls of an extraordinary shape.
Round shape ideal for smaller pools
Depth is a very important criterion. If you like to jump from the side, dive, then the bottom should be at a distance of one and a half meters. A deeper bowl will be needed if you are going to install a springboard or tower. Here, the depth indicator should be at least 2.3 meters. True, only that part of the bowl where the jumps will take place can be made so deep, and then, with a smooth transition, bring the bottom to a level of 1.5 meters.
Standard pool depth 1.5 meters
Is the pool organized in the country house exclusively for children? Sumptuously! A half-meter depth will be enough for your tomboys to frolic heartily without the risk of an accident.
The depth of the pool for children does not exceed 0.5 m.
The greatest difficulty will be the combined pool, being built for all households at the same time. The children's and adult zones will need to be separated by a solid partition extending from the very bottom. Thus, children will be protected from accidental hitting to great depths.
Important! In a combined pool with a difference in depth, you need to make a flat bottom, which will smoothly lead to deeper places. Sudden jumps in the structure of the bottom and steps are strictly prohibited for safety reasons. Walking along the bottom, you can dream and miss the line behind which the bottom disappears from under your feet. To drown in such a situation is a piece of cake, so do not risk in vain. Water does not forgive negligence.
Necessary materials
Experts know that the technology for the construction of a reservoir depends on the chosen material: concrete pouring, the use of blocks of concrete or expanded polystyrene.
You can also use ready-made containers that are easy to assemble, without special maintenance conditions. The main drawback is the simplicity of the form. Therefore, in order to make the bowl the configuration you need, you need to work hard on the pool design.
If it is concrete, then the screed is poured onto the bottom and walls of the pit. You can decorate with facing tiles. Blocks are stacked in the usual way. It is very important here that a reinforcement network lies through every three rows.
How to arrange
Thinking about the decor of a pool organized at the dacha, you need to understand that this is not a pond, but a pool, and it should be designed so that it looks like a full-fledged, emphasized artificially created swimming area, rather than a natural body of water.
Swimming area in the country
It is decorated like a real diamond, enclosing water blue in a frame of paving tiles, and the paving is given an unusual original design. You can replace the tiles with wood flooring. Such a solution will also look great. The bowls of the pools themselves, especially in prefabricated plastic structures, look unattractive, but it is worth hiding them behind a stepped flooring (prefabricated models are always raised) as they become a chic landscape object. It is rational to make such a decor in the case when the reservoir is not planned to be dismantled for the winter. The prefabricated pool will thus become a stationary object.
The stationary pool will decorate the site year-round
It is better to entrust the organization of large stationary pools to specialists, there are too many subtleties there.
Many problems will arise with the decor of small fonts, especially of the stationary type. They are very often perceived as an ornamental pond, so you have to try with finishing to avoid annoying inconsistencies.
The main distinguishing feature of a pool in a dacha from a pond will be the presence of water purifying equipment and other systems for organizing special effects, such as counterflow, heating, etc. Near the first one, for such equipment, you will need to equip a utility room, which, by the way, can also be decorated like a fairy-tale house, for example.
Recreation area decoration with a swimming pool
In the bathing area, it is imperative to equip a small area for relaxation and sunbathing. For this, sun loungers, trestle beds and sun loungers are placed on the floorings, decks and the blind area. A good solution would be the implementation of a playground close to the beach area, then the children will always be in front of your eyes.
Care and maintenance tips
Water in artificial reservoirs quickly becomes polluted and can become a favorable environment for the development of harmful bacteria. In addition, fallen leaves, tree branches and dust constantly get into the outdoor pool.
For smaller pools, a lid can be made to keep most of the debris out. Small particles caught in the water are easily removed with the help of a fine-mesh drip. Algae on the walls is brushed off with a soft bristle brush.
The water in such a container should be changed 2-3 times a week. For example, use for watering crops and other plants.
Pool sand filter with pump
To purify water in large pools, the following methods are used:
The easiest way to purify water is with a water filter. There are three types of systems with varying degrees of filtration. A sand filter unit based on finely crushed quartz purifies water, removing harmful elements up to 20 microns in size.
The cartridge filter pump is suitable for medium-sized pools with diameters not exceeding 3.6–4 m. Such filters are equipped with a system for purifying water from harmful particles up to 10 microns in size and a special valve for removing fine debris.
Diatomite filters are modern systems for highly efficient water filtration. Fossil powder, mountain flour, diatomaceous earth, etc. are used as a cleaning element. Such particles retain the smallest particles up to 1 micrometer in size.
Preparations based on chlorine, bromine and active oxygen are used as substances for chemical treatment. Chloride preparations are very effective, but they require adherence to the dosage. If the norm is exceeded, there is a high risk of poisoning and damage to the skin.
Indoor pool decor
"For those who live outside the city all year round, it makes sense to set up a swimming pool in the country not in the open air, but to organize it on the first floor of the house or in the basement."
The option is beneficial from all sides. You will be able to enjoy water procedures even in severe frosts, and taking care of the pool will become much easier and cheaper.
You can swim in the indoor pool at any time of the year
The design of the room itself will also not require any special delights. Here you can get by with laconic shapes and neutral colors. To cheer up the atmosphere, it is advised to add a few colorful accents. The center of attraction should remain a pool with an inviting water surface.
In the decor of indoor pools, designers often use oriental style techniques. Contrasting spots are added to the monochromatic finish with a minimum of accessories.
Indoor pool design in nautical style
Looks great in the interior of the pool room at the classic dacha, in which the coolness of dark granite is combined with the warmth radiated by the wood-colored walls and ceiling.
Plants in pool design
Before you start arranging the landscape near your reservoir, decide what kind of landscape you would like to see: exotic, calm, natural ... When developing a plan and choosing a plant for an idea, try not to violate the rules proven by practice.
Do not plant directly in or on the pool. Chlorinated water will kill them, and the very source of your pride will turn into a collective farm pond. You can forget about comfortable bathing.
Plants are best planted at a distance from the pool +
Do you really have to be content with the flora that is already in the landscape of the dacha? Of course not! Plants that you just need to decorate the site should be planted in containers or tubs. Then there will be no interaction with the treated water, and if necessary, you can bring the bushes and trees into the house. Container landing will allow you to quickly change the environment around the pool in the country. To do this, it will be enough to rearrange the tubs in places or arrange them into new compositions.
Plants in tubs by the pool
As for the plants themselves, it is worth choosing the most hardy specimens for decoration, because they will have to stand in the open sun and undergo severe weather tests. The most practical in this regard are subspecies with leathery leaves. You can use agapanthus, juniper, southern cordilina, Chinese rose, glorious yucca, oleander.
A couple of great ideas as a gift
The organization of lighting and pool and recreation areas will help to make the dacha beach functional. Thus, you will be able to enjoy swimming even after sunset.
Pool lighting at night
An outdoor fireplace or fireplace looks incredibly impressive near the water. These two natural elements in combination are quite good at relaxing, filling the soul with tranquility.
