Building A DIY Concrete Pool

[@youknowme8578]

I'm going to attempt to build my small pool this spring. In 1960 my father built a pool at our family home, 16 by 32. He was a world war 2 navy veteran and along with many friends and the volunteer fire department, to this day it still looks like a new pool. He had a 7th grade education, and was a mechanic all his life. As I visit the second owners of my family home, they are impressed with how well it has gone through the test of time. I appreciate this video, I really do, but I'm not going to be afraid to do what my father did the year I was born.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

My father is a mechanic and I would estimate that mechanics in general are some of the smartest people out there. I am not surprised that a mechanic was able to do something extremely technically challenging like this. I don't want to discourage you either. Building a pool might be one of the best things you ever do. The point of this video is to raise awareness that there is more than a hole in the ground when you build a pool. There is a deep and technical world. Also there is a world of difference between building a pool and building a high quality pool that is efficient and will last a long time. Do your research and avoid taking short cuts. Good luck with your pool build!

[@youknowme8578]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve thanks for the reply, the one I want to build is small compared to the pool he built. 8 by 14. I'm going to give it my best, the worst thing is, he is no longer here on this Earth to give me advice. Hence, I watched your video. Thanks for the heads up, and again.. much respect to you making this video.👍

[@mjbenvenuto]

Shut up

[@LightGesture]

They were born different then. Lol I am a contractor and see diy jobs all the time from enthusiasts who shouldnt touch a hammer!

[@slk8674]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve First off, I'm sorry this guy doesn't have his dad around. Glad he left such a great impact on his family, and others even. Now: There are plenty of 'DIY pitfall' videos that don't get scratchy comments. The difference is, the others approach it from a can-do perspective and delivery. It's good to hear someone put the fear of God in us regarding DIY for a pool, but it's not going to grow an extra $20,000 in people's pockets to actually take your generic advice. People are building these DIY anyway. As your viewers inevitably venture to third parties to research the vague solutions you lightly mention for each of the detailed and in-depth problems you heavily expound upon, hopefully, they find the right information. I think some of us were looking for the solutions (DIY-level) to be covered in this video, though.. at least to the detail and depth that the problems were covered. This comes across as condescending and that's why people revert to defensive commenting. It is provoked. For example: DIY Pools and Spas provides the engineer, sub-contactor options, permitting, and detailed plans for people to get started smart and safe. I haven't tried them, but would have been helpful if you had covered solutions like that rather than "become a structural engineer" (paraphrased hyperbole). A not so successful example: I have yet to find an example online of someone using epoxy as their waterproofing method. It seems to be the most ideal. On the hunt for those solutions, but if you have another video where you go over them, please add to a pin or the description. Your insight for the solutions would take this video/channel to the next level because of how knowledgeable you come across.

[@SP-qt6kv]

This man is 1 pool builder of thousands, he's just giving his insight that might help some people. Every builder runs into different obstacles and problems. But there is always going to be people trying to bash and deny someone trying to help. If you don't agree with what he says, then just kick rock's. I appreciate the video

[@krehbein]

Why is everyone hating on steve 😢 Here’s the deal; if you don’t like what he says then move on and do your thing. However if your going to diy your pool why wouldn’t you want to hear from a professional so you know the potential issues? Pools are “simple” but when they go wrong they can go wrong big time. Cracked concrete, tiles that fall off, pvc not glued, etc…

[@andyh8239]

I'm 3 years in ln building a DIY concrete pool myself. Im one course away from doing the surface coating. Still reviewing options. The torch on fiberglass sounds interesting.

[@JimStockbauer]

He's so right especially how it's going to hold up I've watched ours go in back in the 70s. 500 lbs of dinamite and weeks of chipping solid limestone

[@LightGesture]

I am a tile guy from a remodeler.... I hear what you're saying 100%. Tiling is difficult enough. Mosaic tile is a nightmare and a REALLLL challenge.... Then adding coved edging and coping and curves... That's real "technical." I don't think people actually understand how difficult it is.

[@junbastoni5171]

Ah perfect! The expansion joint is what I wanted to hear, I’m good with every other bit, except that was the only bit I was umm ing and ahhh ing about, 👌 digging the hole in a few weeks

[@danylashtur6104]

Once again great info. Never thought about separating swimming pool walls from the rest of the deck area. Was thinking to do concrete deck and tie it into the swimming pool walls. BAAAAAD idea. I’ll be watching lots of your videos for more ideas and tips.

[@cutepuppychannel4622]

Hey Steve glad I found your Channel I don't need an engineer for a plunge pool do I like a 10x15 or 10 by 10 I'm in South Florida lot of limestone rocks I want to build a patio have a concrete slab poured I'm wondering if I should put that plunge pool in and pour the concrete patio around it or sit it on top any thoughts thanks in advance you didn't specify a particular waterproofing

[@Cheez-Itz_Christ]

There was so much information in this video that I never knew about, and after watching I can confidently say that I’m just gonna wing it, all I’m gonna try to build is a little 300-500 gal pool for my ducks to swim in 😂. It was a very informational video though so thanks anyway 🤙

[@abrahamsegurav]

Quite revealing and impressive info! Thanks!

[@user-mw2ky8qq7g]

Don’t get discouraged, you can do it. I went with icf walls, they had a step by step guide on their website. Just go slow, google and KZbin staff without assuming your common sense knows better. and measure twice before cutting. Good luck!

[@chrislauerbach5572]

Hi Steve, thank you for your Videos. I made my dream come true and built a pool. I don't know yet if it will be a success or a nightmare. I want to put tiles but someone gave me the idea to fill it with water first and see if there are leaks. What do you think?

[@BILLYC0DE]

Previous Waterproofer by trade, just curious what type of systems you use like what types of membrane/cemintitous etc?

[@nallen1006]

Also dont listen to the bs about parts shortages, there are none. Im sourcing mine right now and had zero issues. Also there is only ONE company that does not warranty home owners for things like pumps and thats pentair. There are several other top tier options. Dont listen to this fear porn. There is not a single thing that you are not capable of. Trust yourself, take your time, read the permit requirements, you got this people!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Ridiculous uninformed comment. Jandy will not sell to the public, period. Pentair offers 60 day warranties and Hayward removed 80% of their products from open lines. Every manufacturer has been struggling with supply shortages for years now, continuing still to this day. This comment is exactly why I make videos like this. So many know it all people providing terrible advice when they have no knowledge of the pool industry or the topics they are talking about. Thanks for your comment.

[@nallen1006]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve What an incredibly ironic comment. Pentair is the only one with a warranty issue for homeowners. Im not sure why i need to explain that, its a pretty simple concept. The other major manufacturers, like hayward have no disclaimer for their warranty. And i used Hayward to source most of my parts. What parts that are required for a build can not be purchased through them or other major manufacturers? Because there were no issues ordering everything through them. So why lie? So what if they removed 80% of their parts from their open lines if you can get everything you need, what is the problem? Why even mention that? Know it all? I literally just sourced everything i needed without a single issue. Maybe in extreme circumstances, but for the average consumer there is zero issues. But you make it to be a major problem. Youre openly trying to scare people, thats pretty scummy. Keep peddling your fear, its people like you that give contractors a bad name. And its people like you why i dont trust contractors and take the time to learn to do it myself.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Continued, ill informed comments. All 3 major manufacturers limit warranty to home owners. Do some research before you comment. You are helping my video get more views, which I appreciate, but your logic is flawed deeply. I don't build pools FYI. I am retired for 9 years now from field work. I EXCLUSIVELY make content for pool and spa owners since there is so much terrible misinformation out there, like the comments you are making for example. Go ahead and comment more with your wisdom. I appreciate every time you navigate to this video and give me another view. Cheers.

[@nallen1006]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve Everything i stated was 100% fact. Pentair is the only one, hayward the 2nd largest supplier has no disclaimer. Everything needed is in stock. You made no mention of the fact that main drains are not required in residential pools. You cant say that in your videos because you need it for your fear porn. You can barely peddle your fear without smirking the entire time because you know its bs. The quicker people like you go out of business the better. You are doing a great disservice to the general population running these fear videos.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

You can not use Jandy products as a home owner. Hayward has the exact same disclaimer about self installed equipment as Pentair does. Instead of arguing with me you literally could just navigate to Hayward and Jandy and read this for yourself...but you can not fill a cup which is already full. Thanks for commenting again. I hope you have another comment to make so my video gets another view. Cheers.

[@bryang949]

Great video - excellent (balanced) advice - thanks!!! I think anyone who just thinks they are God's gift to DIY is making a big mistake. This is serious stuff and worthy of sober reflection and planning before starting, which certainly includes listening to guys like you - guys who are right at the coalface

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Thank you for the comment. I find it funny how many comments seem upset as though I am telling them not to do build their own pool when in reality I just want to reality check people a little and let them know it is common for inexperienced people to underestimate the complex technical nature of building a pool.

[@drophammer776]

After already viewing hundreds of articles what is your opinion for area that has freeze, thaw cycles? Wisconsin Midwest. Waterproof Liner under the already waterproof concrete for just in case scenario or liner over existing concrete. Thanks in advance If the Water Parks can build concrete slides, Rivers so can the average Dad that has the ambition. Heh Heh👍

[@coder6083]

I’ve hired a national pool builder and they are struggling to build our concrete swimming pool.

[@friendlyneighborhoodtileguy]

I reached out to Laticrete regarding an ICF pool and I was pretty surprised at the method they wanted me to use to waterproof it. As a tile setter I’m quite familiar with proper waterproofing techniques, and that’s definitely my biggest concern in deciding if I want to build my own pool. Bostik and Ardex offer solutions as well but until I have a more thorough plan there’s not much they will give me. What is your opinion on ICF as a build method for pools?

[@BitsOfInterest]

I didn't know many of these things, but now you told me 😂

[@thebocop]

What about a pool liner?

[@ryancharles9252]

Great info bro!!!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Thank you

[@AJTarnas]

i have two large water tanks. one is 3000gal cylinder, concrete walls and bottom, buried in the ground. the other is a 2000gal metal cylinder, above grade, with a 5" concrete bottom. they both leak a lot, more than 10gal/hr. for the 3000gal tank i tried adding a few coats of solium silicate to the walls. it didnt work. for the 2000gal tank, i tried adding semco to the bottom of the tank. didn't work, semco just bubbled up. i really need a cheap way to seal these tanks. the semco was a stretch financially and it failed. i don't think i can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a thin coating of any product -- if i had that money i'd buy big plastic cisterns. surely there must be a cheap material that can seal these porous surfaces. waxes? oil? soap? bentonite? asphalt? im in a desert area in southern california that does not freeze and the surrounding soils are bone-dry for months (sometimes years) on end.

[@cityhomesteading]

Fiberglass layer it. KZbin it...

[@AJTarnas]

@@cityhomesteading not an option. not affordable, and toxic working conditions in an enclosed tank.

[@l0I0I0I0]

I hear you brother but I have no doubt I could build a fantastic one personally with the right guidance and books. I also have no doubt many could not. Different people have different skill levels and ability to just get it, or not get it, so it depends.

[@Stacy_Smith]

A drain valve to let water IN your pool when have to do maintenance is important as well or you're going to be the proud owner of a broken concrete BOAT.

[@jasonscoggins01]

Thank you Steve

[@sdmerrick2688]

As a retired compliance officer, what I've learned about consultants. A consultant is someone who can tell you 50 ways to love a woman yet has no woman to love.

[@Ben-wc8go]

So what if you choose Xypex to waterproof?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

I have had mixed results with xypex. I think there are other, better solutions for waterproofing from 3M, Laticrete and Basecrete.

[@Ben-wc8go]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve Thanks, I’ve seen a few basements poured using xypex but most times it due to they want to keep the walls from wicking up water and causing moisture issues. Though, of course lots of ways to do one thing just easier to follow something that has been done many times and works.

[@l0I0I0I0]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve Lacticrete or basecrete last the longest? Is there anything that will last longer? Also what is the longest lasting material for the lateral expansion issue you mention? Would you be willing to do consulting? Mostly asking questions for material longevity and book recommendations for building a pool. TY for sharing your insane good knowledge in these areas as most people would not.

[@rocki_bb]

I'm not meaning to be nit-picky, but for some of us the pandemic is still going on. And it's the reason we need our own pool, rather than getting a membership somewhere. I personally have medical conditions that mean I need to do aquatic physical therapy regularly. Those medical conditions mean it's a risk for me to just join the YMCA.

[@351kostakis]

Fantastic

[@boatingisfunUK]

You don’t have to have a main drain line… most DIY pools just use skimmer and submersible pump if have to drain. But great video

[@drophammer776]

If Anyone considering this undertaking build a 1,000 gallon concrete pond and then times that by X50 amount of work.

[@AngelLove-o8w]

Really well over a minute a random nothing talk.

[@nallen1006]

Im sorry but this video just comes off as pure scare tactics. I mean instead of going on about how your pool is going to kill everyone if not built correctly, why not mention that main drains are not required for residential pools? Skipping the main drains cuts a significant amount of cost and complexity for a diy'er. If you were really trying to help people and not just scare them you would have mentioned that little fact.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Thanks for your insightful comment. My 19 minute video was okay, but if I was really trying to help people I would have said this...right then. Thanks for stopping by.

[@JohnMartin22222]

😂😂😂😂😂 you have 100% but your own pool wrong. Really made me lol that.

[@nallen1006]

@@JohnMartin22222 Im about to start a major project but thanks for the projection. I bought property, cleared it, poured a foundation, built my house from the ground up. Did all the drywall, electrical, plumbing, etc, with no experience. Now its time to build a pool. I mean if you can read, the permits alone tell you how to build everything. But none of that changes the fact that this video is fear porn.

[@nallen1006]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve Why didnt you mention it then? Youre trying to scare people to protect your job. I mean i get it, but its still pretty low. Your other video you were trying to scare people as well with a bunch of bs. There is no shortage on parts and the only company that will not warranty pumps for diy'ers is pentair. There are several other top tier options. Which you did not mention.

[@JohnMartin22222]

@@nallen1006 I’m a structural engineer…. I have a pool. I didn’t build it. I feel me sharing the reasons why won’t be absorbed. I’ve seen people like you a thousand times….. your my main customer and for that reason you SHOULD build it yourself. Wish you the best of luck

[@Mrdubomb]

Perhaps the smart thing to do if you planned on building your own pool is to work with a pool company for at least a year, then attempt it.

[@johnstack4316]

Can't wait to finish my pool and start a KZbin channel debunking all the fear mongering and voodoo black magic about building an inground concrete pool. Non of this stuff Steve is talking about is rocket science. OMG engineer to design rebar grid! Not rocket science Mr. Floor drain hysteria, not an issue if one is plugged. You still have the other and the skimmer. If you put in a ridiculously oversized water pump you would have an issue, it's called common sense and research. Kind of reminds me of the real-estate agent telling me that I needed to hire them the real professionals. The guy told me it was complicated and I would eventually call him to sell my house. Sold my house 2 months later for full asking price. I did call him and asked him to come over. He did and I let him think he was going to list my house for about 5 min. Then I told him I got full price and hired a real-estate attorney to draw everything up. It was easy and cheap compared to the commission I would of had to give away. Not rocket science. Hey Steve start making videos on how to design and build before someone else does and steals your subscriber's .

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

I am sure you would build a great pool with no problems on your first attempt having never seen or done it before. The rest of us pool builders with actual experience must just be a bunch of chumps.

[@johnstack4316]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve not saying your chumps, everything I build turns out killer. I will make a detailed list of the proper steps for surface preparation, materials and process after I do my research. I will spend this next week visiting different vendors and talking to pool installation contractors. I will let you in on one of my secrets. I pay people for their time and knowledge to keep me from making mistakes. It works, and I save alot of money. I'm into sweat equity. I will hire a plaster guy that has a great reputation. I don't have a problem paying $50 to$60 per hour cash to a plaster guy to do a side job on the weekend.. I have an incredible resume of projects that I have built myself that make the so called experts or professionals jealous. Many people out there are like me, champagne taste on a beer budget. I don't buy inferior materials and never cut corners. I do value your information about pumps filters and all the other aspects of pool care and maintenance. I just build stuff its how I'm wired.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Interesting take. From my experience over 30 years of building pools is that while you can pay for hired help. You can't pay them enough to actually care. It's not their pool. It's just another job. This is the ultimate quality killer in most construction jobs where subcontracting is common. In theory the general contractor should have sufficient trade experience to be able to spot and know deficiencies or lazy work when you see it. Without experience building pools unfortunately you have no ability to do this. Only the trust of your subs, which is never a position I would want to find myself in. But to each their own. FYI some areas have a great subcontractor scene for shells, plaster etc. But not in my area. My cost to get a pool plasterer is $500 cash in an envelope, each, for 4 skilled plasterers. I know these men personally, and for decades, and this is the lowest price I can get for what amounts to an easy 5 hour day for these guys. If $60 per hour could get qualified trades people then you are very lucky. Most places do not have access. Building a pool and building a high quality pool are two entirely different things. Even if you research you simply can not replace 5 or 10 years worth of daily experience building pools. You don't even know how and where they fail, which also takes experience. So yes you can build a pool. Depending on how hard you try and your skill levels it might even not have major deficiencies. But it is not realistic to think that someone with no experience and someone with decades of experience will have equal ability to produce results given the scope and technical complexity of the work. I know this, but that is because I am a pool builder. The worse pools are generally built by people who underestimate how hard it is to actually build a quality pool. You should try not to be one of these people. I am just trying to give people a heads up. There is more going on than it appears on the surface with pools. Any high end builder knows this, but if this is your first pool you are likely to make many, many technical errors along the way. It's not impossible. It's just an uphill battle.

[@ernestjimenez2169]

@@johnstack4316 please do a video John, I’ll watch it and it will help thousands of others in the process. It doesn’t have to be 100% right, as long as it’s detailed and documented it’s a success especially on KZbin.

[@CristianSzwarc]

@John Stack @Swimming Pool Steve , as usual, in exchange of opinions, a lot of times both sides are right from THEIR own point of view, and this video and comments are not the exception. Example: this video point me to something I have never considered "pool entrapment hazards" so I can act accordingly, while at the same time I agree that Steve's tone can be taken as a message against DIY. And that's ok too. The video just another point of view. Indeed, not a fun/encouraging video to watch when you are looking for inspiration, but useful regardless. Some undecided people may actually benefit of a reality check, while other confident DIY people will be able to distinguish which points make sense for their individual case and what points are ok to be ignored. There is also the different reasons for DIY, there is people who are thinking about DIY only because the costs but there is a lot of people who embrace DIY because the challenge/learning, fully aware that (depending on abilities) you may end with a substandard project at twice the cost. AND there is also the location reality, there are times/places where you simply won't find someone more capable than yourself despite how unskilled you may be.

[@acquavida]

35 years building pools , I have seen it all, after all its a container of water made from sand a cement and that's the challenge if you have no experience then don't do it , cost saving never works and ends up costing thousands of dollars, certified builders only, my advice is get a fiber glass pool installed or a vinyl pool DIY. as the saying says the bitterness of a bad job lasts for years.

[@lawrencebraun99]

Classic fear based negative reinforcement education style. Where's the van down by the river? If you are looking to learn something and build your confidence - this is not the video for you. If you are looking to stoke your anxieties and make this harder than it needs to be- Steve is your guy.

[@originalfallinggirl]

I’m sorry to sound cynical or arrogant but building a pool is very far from rocket science. In fact it is structurally a very easy diy. I’m not suggesting that you are perpetuating the myth of the “God-like” mental powers of the average pool builder BUT YOU ARE DOING JUST THAT. You all are going to pile on me now because you are immediately going to assume that I’m armchair quarterbacking here. I’VE BUILT TWO EXQUISITE SWIMMING POOLS IN THE BACKYARD OF THE SAME HOME I’VE OWNED FOR 20 YEARS! And “no” I did not build the second one because the first one didn’t work. I built the second one because I built the first one too small because I too believed this bullsh*t myth about the mysteries of pool physics. What’s my background? I’m a 49 yo retired female attorney. I quit practicing after the bond crisis in 2008 and developed an interest in music. So I took up the synthesizer. Well, unlike the pool gods, the community of analog synth builders doesn’t dissuade enthusiasts from building their own analog synthesizers. The actual manufacturers will send you the schematics. So first I learned how to solder and then I studied just the basics of circuitry and then I learned how to read a simple diagram and I built an analog synthesizer. I have ZERO FORMAL EDUCATION IN ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY SCIENTIFIC OR OF AN ENGINEERING NATURE. Dumb professionals who can’t get into a med school go to law school. And that was me. I have a point I’m making so bear with me. After building my first successful, albeit primitive, synthesizer I decided to build another one. But this time I decided to add more complex elements to the synth. These included low frequency oscillators that would enable me to modulate various parameters while playing. I also precisely copied Robert Moot’s famous transistor based ladder filter. I built my own bucket brigade analog echo and finished it off with a very smooth voltage controlled amplifier. Sounds easy, right? Yeah it is easy but it’s a hell of a lot more difficult than building a fvcking pool. This guy is either an idiot or buoying the ridiculously expensive pool industry. There is literally NOTHING COMPLICATED AT ALL ABOUT A POOL. Let me preface that I’m directing my advice to the “reasonable person” (legal term for a person with average faculties). I have even built the micro-computers (using knockoff Raspberry Pi chips and my home etched PCBs with 5v headers to control external devices) AND THE CODE to automate every single aspect of my pool’s heating, filtration and chemical adding (w/ Python if you’re interested). I’m going to finish here. This is my first time watching this channel and it will be the last. This guy is an arrogant asshole for dissuading people from saving a shit load of money by building their own swimming pool. Granted it’s hard laborious work. But only physically hard. It’s got to be the easiest conceptual DIY of any significance that I’ve ever undertaken. Oh, and my pools are both inground block structured plastered and tiled pools. I guess the hard part is remembering tightly righty and loosey lefty when using threaded couplings? Maybe remember to point the returns at the skimmer or at least place them on the opposite side as the skimmer. This comment might be erased if this guy is as much of a dick as he sounds like so maybe take a screenshot. For fvck sake have you ever looked at the average pool builder? Do they give off a learned vibe or a methy Bush beer vibe? I’m out and if you don’t believe my protestations you are welcome to see all the crazy shit that a diagnosed dyslexic girl of maybe average intelligence has built because she is maybe too stupid to listen to the warnings by wonder children like our dear narrator, then feel free to mosey over to my channel. But I’m not an influencer and don’t give a shit if you subscribe. I, only speaking to the narrator and those questioning my veracity. Later - The Falling Girl

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Holy crap I'm glad you got that off your chest. I hope you feel better. FYI I doubt there is a person alive who has invested more time and energy in helping people and pool owners to take control over their own pools than I have. But you already had your mind made up before you watched the video. I'm trying to help people build a better product and set reasonable expectations. Your comment about there being nothing hard about pools reveals you are not educated on this subject. I'm happy you built a pool. What suction line water velocity did you determine your pump would deliver? I hope you did not exceed 6 feet per second in any suction line. That would be dangerous. And being that you built the pool anyone injured in the pool would make you liable. I suggest you give your comment a re read and consider why you are attacking someone opening trying to help and educate people.

[@wonderwoman8380]

Re. the main (bottom) drain issue, wouldn't your question about suction line velocity be related to the configuration of the grate cover? For example, if the lid grate is domed (as opposed to flat) wouldn't the flow rate be much less relevant since in that situation there's no way for anybody to sit on the bottom and get her intestines sucked out? In any case, from my point of view, a main (bottom) drain should be a feature in every pool. I've had an Endless Pool for 24 years. For the first 10 years I cursed myself for not having a bottom drain. Since I installed one, much less cursing. You just have to pay attention to the physics of water flow. Make sure you use a domed grate. Also make sure the manifold outflow valve is set to 50/50 from main vs. skimmer drain, at least while the pool is set to skim. @@Swimmingpoolsteve