Heated Splash Pool / Dip Pool Construction (Semi In-Ground) - Step by Step

TIPS & INFORMATION
A small splash pool is much cheaper to build, heat and maintain than a larger swimming pool. We aren’t ones for swimming lengths in pools, so this size is ideal for us :-)
The final size of the pool surround is:
Longer Left Side: 4.36m
Edge Side: 3.9m
Shorter Right Side: 3.52m
The pool itself is
Longer Left Side: 2.26m
Edge Side: 3.15m
Shorter Right Side: 1.62m
Water Depth: 1.4m
Pool volume - about 6000 litres of water / 6 Cubic Metres.
The decking system I used was a little more expensive than others, but it is totally impervious to water, not slippery, has a lovely texture to the touch and looks fantastic - I would highly recommend it. It also works out as a great pool edge, so I didn’t need to use coping stones around the top of the pool, which I don’t personally like the look of. This system looks much more contemporary.
Having the pool semi-in-ground meant that due to the waterline being above ground level the pump didn’t need to be self-priming, so I could use off-the-shelf (therefore cheaper cost) Intex Pool Pump and salt water system that are usually used in rigid stand up pools. This saved me hundreds of pounds in pool equipment.
AirSource heat Pump. This is the most efficient way to heat the pool. For every kW of electricity used, the heater generates about 5-6kw of heat.
Insulation - this is the most important thing. Keeping the heat in the pool. This insulation has kept the heat in the pool lovely and warm.
I am lucky enough to have solar panels on the house, so I only run the pump, salt system and heater during the day. On a sunny day the pool is basically free to run and keep heated. On cloudy and raining days, I estimate the equipment draws about 8-9Kw total over 7 hours, so this only costs me about £1.71 per day. I run the pool equipment from 9am - 4pm.
Salt Water System - I love this - it is so easy to maintain. I highly recommend this. When you fill the pool I had to put in 21kg of salt. This is then converted by the machine to produce natural chlorine - makes the water really soft and smells good! No chemicals to keep on top of. I just have to top up about 5kg of salt every week or so when it starts beeping at me. A bag of 25kg salt is about £6, so very cheap to maintain the pool too.
Buying a pool cover can be expensive. Intex again do large round one for around £35 - so I bought one of those and cut it to size.
Using the pool cover overnight, the pool loses about 2.5-3 degrees centigrade overnight - which isn’t too bad. To improve on this, I have recently bought some more of the pool insulation to use as a thick insulated cover at night. It takes a couple of minutes to put on, but now the pool is only losing about 1-1.5 degrees centigrade overnight - a huge saving.
We are currently in September (UK) as I write this, but I have been able to keep the pool, at a toasty 31-32 degrees centigrade this month, which is almost like a spa temperature. I am hoping to keep the pool in use until about October when I will have to shut it down and winterise it. I aim to open the pool again late April / early May.
Here are the main suppliers I used:
Deck System - Millboard
bit.ly/millboar...
Composite Joists (for deck to screw into)
bit.ly/composit...
Pool Insulation System - Panel Systems
bit.ly/panelsys...
Paint Sprayer - Airblast
bit.ly/airblast...
Pool Paint
bit.ly/2partepo...
Pool Pipe Fittings - UK Pool Store
bit.ly/ukpoolstore
Intex Pump & Salt Water System
bit.ly/intexpoo...
Air-Source Heat Pump
bit.ly/airsourc...
Cost
The approximate cost for the project, including all pumps, heaters etc was about £6,500.
£2000 of this was for the decking solution I used. If you were to build a similar structure fully inground I expect you save approx £1,500 - £1,750 from this cost, although you may need to spend more on a self-priming pump that can pull the water out the pool to filter - or build a pool house in-ground.
£2000 Decking
£799 Air Source Heat Pump
£199 Pump & Filter
£199 Salt Water Chlorinator
£500 Pool Insulation
£500 Blocks
£150 Sand
£100 Cement
£200 Pipework & Fittings
£100 Stainless Steel Bolts
£150 Clay Heave Board
£200 Emergency OSB Boards (Hopefully you won’t need this!)
£250 Rebar
£250 Gunite
£80 Adhesive
£50 Glass Fibre Mesh
£100 Deck Fix Composite
£140 PoolPaint
£90 Tiles
£290 Pool Floor Cement
£150 Tool / Machine Hire
£150 Skimmer

[@robertcasey7312]

I built pools for 7 years ages ago. Considering this is a DIY block pool without using heavy equipment, you did an outstanding job.

[@kranson8514]

Disclaimer I suppose you have to, most pro builders won't put as much pride effort into their work as you have. I loved that you over engineered the pool, build it once and only enjoy it then on first class job even by my standards 🤫 👏👏👏

[@JonasDarnettLoges]

Wow. I'm not even looking for a DIY pool/ spa, but ended up watching the entire video - very well done!

[@kevinloughrey5135]

It is better to have vertical starter bars coming up 600mm (2 ft) from the base. These can be chemset of tied into the base's reinforcing mesh when pouring the base. Lay the concrete blocks to make the wall to the height desired. With each row, lay two horizontal 12mm rebar with 600mm overlap where joined. Then core-fill with 32MPa concrete and, at the same time insert vertical bars at 200mm separation. Use the vertical rods to also vibrate the core-fill concrete so as to ensure good compaction. The top end of the vertical rebars are just below the top of the finished wall. Doing it this way means you are not lifting blocks up over tall vertical rebars as shown here in this video. It is also safer for the tradesmen, avoiding injury from lifting and impalement. Otherwise, a very impressive effort.

[@dreuaustin]

Kevin could perform Rockwell's infamous "Retro Encabulator" commercial in one take.

[@robertcasey7312]

Great job. Very inspiring. Thank you. Ages ago I repaired pools, 10 years. As soon as we painted ourselves out of the shallow end my boss started filling the deep end. It was a hot sunny resort. The large pool surface was hot before we started. The deep end was baked by the time we exited. Any remaining cure occurred under water. Did 1000+ pools, only had 1 problem. Someone climbed fence jumped in a 10’ deep pool, only 3’ filled. Pool surface was covered with shoe prints all season. BTW, I’m building my own pool now. I’ll let the paint cure for a week too. TY.

[@MossEYE-]

yeah paint lasts longer if it cures dry for a week

[@Scott_works]

I have been thinking about a plunge pool in my back yard. I have watched a lot of videos, but this is about the size I want. Cool in the summer, hot in the winter. All this pool needs is a cool cover! Beautiful workmanship.

[@melissahopeklaus5776]

Wow if your not a pro then your gifted because your work is amazing ! Great job it's perfect!

[@outtersteller]

This is what happens when you love what you do! Imagine someone not loving and doing this? The project will be an unending hell!

[@jaystearns7515]

I have always dreamed about building a block pool .You did a beautiful job !

[@TheIncredibleMrG777]

I learned a lot from this video. Beautiful workmanship! Thanks a lot!👍🏻👊🏻

[@Dreareoxo]

I was enjoying the music so much i forgot to watch the video! Had to rewind. Beautiful work 👏

[@timtim2668]

A Strip of Waterproof LED Lights around the inside would be the Cherry on Top of that Beautiful Pool! You Did an Awesome job 👏 🙌 👍. For having no professional experience in building pools and Decks. You definitely made a professional looking pool!

[@DJ.Lekgowa]

just wanna say, before I ever watch, im excited about watching this video!

[@michaelgiammarino7313]

Are you sure you're not a pro? Fantastic job sir!!

[@kotonbads]

BEAUTIFULLY DONE! YOU DIDNT CUT CORNERS WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING IT. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WORK. KEEP UP THE GOOD CONTENT

[@DemBrodaz]

This is amazing - and thanks so much for gathering all the equipment used and sharing! I'd like to surprise my Wife (well not so much surprise coz I'm sure she will realize what is happening) with a plunge-pool for her birthday this August - and your video is going to be one of my top references! Thanks again for taking the time to put this together & share!

[@outtersteller]

How is progress, should love to see

[@DemBrodaz]

@@outtersteller hi! Unfortunately due to the crazy material prices in Hungary we had to postpone the project for next year 😢

[@1108Shawn]

It looks very professional at minute 1:05. Great job I’ll continue to watch

[@momskitchen2242]

That was the most amazingly relaxing video of all time! What a beautiful pool! Great Job!

[@TheWaverleys]

Super nice and simple design. I get a lot of inspiration to do the same now in my back garden area Thanks!!

[@bobjames5781]

Great work, love the detailed breakdown of materials and costs!

[@Highvibes777]

Oh my..way beyond my DIY skills. BEAUTIFUL

[@TMHailston]

Thanks for changing the music, great project, looks beautiful.

[@MACKMORRIS83]

Amazing job! I read DIY and clicked figuring that I could do this myself. That is not the case. 😂

[@SChristopherBurford]

Ditto!

[@Highvibes777]

Ditto

[@carolyndee4565]

What a great video? A beautiful job. Definitely one of the best l have seen. Once you get some outdoor furniture set up, it would look even better. Well done 👍👍 Greetings from Australia

[@susanclark4122]

I am just going to say WOW!! Well done!!

[@dadnladgaming8591]

Don’t what I liked more the pool or the music, amazing build well done

[@baxterboy23]

These videos may be few and far between but they are definitely worth the wait. Excellent job bro.

[@dennisbotha8400]

So happy I stumbled across this video. excatly what I'm planning on doing and just confirmed my choice of materials. I'm going to fibreglass the pool instead of rendering it :-) Great job!

[@dennisbotha8400]

Hi there, what brand of insulation boards did you use?

[@twilner89]

This is amazing! And good to know it only takes 14 minutes ;)

[@hellsbells6323]

100% worth the hard work. Feet up and a cold beer..cheers!

[@krisyeo]

Absolutely amazing. Planning on doing the same size / design in Cyprus. This is invaluable.

[@justinwedgbury1975]

Wow! What a project! Well done it looks fantastic!

[@davesenor3146]

Wow, what an excellent project!! Very nice job, makes me want to grab a shovel!!

[@marcingucwa2645]

Good Job. I like people who can and want to do something on their own. I wish you more successful projects.

[@DanteVelasquez]

That is so FABULOUS!

[@davebarkermusic]

I meant to say very well done mate, but my wife interrupted me saying your not building one of them, although she admitted it looks fantastic

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

😂 thanks! The costs are in the video description. Hope you can persuade her!

[@carolives4970]

Where are the costs?

[@carolives4970]

And size: depth x L x W

[@ReverZe83]

Inspirational, viewing a few of these for my own pool project in the next 12-24 months, congratulations on a fantastic job 😊👌

[@penguins9645]

That hand excavating is something! That's the only part I'd hire an excavator for. A few question if I may: -Once you were at depth, how did you get the dirt up and out? Throw onto the ground above and then lift into the barrow again? -What did you do with all the soil you removed? Where I live the bin rental for the amount of time it would take to do by hand was the same price as just hiring a small machine for a few hours!

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Thanks! The wooden box / support meant I could use a board and wheel a barrow right up to the edge of the hole. At depth it was just enough to shovel into barrow. I use a couple of steps on ladder when needed. . Kept me fit for a few weeks!! Luckily my generous neighbour has a small woodland adjacent to our house and allowed me to spread the soil on this land - def saved soil removal cost.

[@unalienable5408]

The best I've ever seen. Congratulations!

[@TJ-eq6dl]

Thanks for sharing ,what a hard working intelligent man you are .

[@squeekhobby4571]

Fantastic job

[@yokohamamike1041]

Beautiful design, fantastic build.

[@oligould8575]

looks great... I'm currently starting my own build (in a much smaller back yard)... I'm hoping to make a small infinity pool/hot tub as I have a drop off into woodland behind my house... I'm going for a slightly cheaper and diy friendly method of a wooden frame, boarded with construction ply then concrete board, sealed with paint on sealant then tiled with marine grade grout and the cheapest tiles I can get my hands on (that still look good). going to make my own wood fired heater to get it up to temperature, and keep it topped up with a 3kw pool heater (upgrading to air heat pump in future) Im currently trying to figure out the best method to install air jets lol

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Sounds great. Hope the build goes well and hope you do a KZbin video of it 👍🏻

[@juliakonya7266]

Super impressive! I'm blown away!

[@pinkyhotmessx69]

Wow that came out beautiful

[@arronkelsall3507]

Absolutely fabulous video thank you so much for the price breakdown also you have ticked every box for what I'm looking for much appreciated. Your pool looks amazing! Thumbs up. Subscribed

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Thanks! Hope your build goes well.

[@jcozzyno1]

really impressed with your work, will certainly be taking pointers from this

[@gkprivate433]

Ah.. good old fashioned sweat equity. I love it

[@VikashJain-pm8cx]

Really great work. And thank you for sharing all the information.

[@user-xq5mn2fu3x]

молодец чувак!!! мое уважение))) пускай где то кривовато, главное что функцию выполняет, и что самое важное - САМ!

[@jackknows6509]

Beautiful work!!!

[@ChristinaStewart]

You are amazingly talented! wow

[@MrTrda]

I was going to say the same thing about you 😍

[@yellowmr1]

@@MrTrda I wouldn't say she's talented, just likes to show off her body for $views$ !!!

[@1108Shawn]

Halfway through and this is amazing craftsmanship. Also the music I needed it sound like 528hrz

[@quinsopher]

Well done. Very professional (if we disregard the initial hole fail) and a lovely finish. I would've said the rebar on the stairs was overkill? I'm not a professional either

[@royshaft]

This might be a project i do in the future . Thanks for the video . Love the end result.

[@markgibbins4143]

That looks the biz. Great work

[@cd1168]

Great job. Happy times. Most important part

[@csabanemeth]

Really big ideas! I loved it, and learned a lot from it! Thank you!

[@kleinerplan8907]

Woah! You are too underrated! Keep up the great Work!

[@bbikermama]

That is alot of work!!! Great job

[@Pooroljc]

I can't imagine what your chiropractic bill was, but a beautiful job !!

[@DC-rs6bi]

1st course of block work going down tomorrow of my self build 4.5m x 3m x 1.4m deep pool with water fall 🤞😜🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️🤸‍♂️🏊‍♂️🏊‍♂️ I'm obsessively watching you tube vids making sure I don't @#$% it up this vids are a great help👍 indeed

[@paulbaker5238]

Brilliant thank you, I'm planning this for my summer job, slightly smaller and may go for solar thermal to heat.

[@RigHauler]

That's one hell of a job man.

[@MrBradaddict]

Fabulous job! Well done!

[@keytools197]

Great work thanks for the upload. I'm just starting mine now. I just need to get my head round the plumbing schematics. Cheers.

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Thanks. Thinking of doing a video on the heating and plumbing set up if that would be helpful.

[@keytools197]

@@myhomemadediyprojects that would be fantastic 👍

[@DigzGuy]

@@myhomemadediyprojects that would be great!!!!

[@MotoTavira]

You're hired!

[@inikkor520]

Crazy work for a very small pool... whatever rocks your boat

[@robertlaird6746]

I'll be building something very similar to this at my house. Great job. I learned a few things.

[@konavader]

One word, Enjoy! Aloha.

[@patrioticjustice8462]

Where you merged it with the existing platform level with decking looks so nice like it's meant to be

[@outtersteller]

Thank you for noticing that small detail... hands down he is really talented.

[@neilquantick9207]

Fantastic job. Super to watch. Thanks!

[@ivanz1287]

Nice work, should have insulated the underground pipes

[@lukepeacham9663]

Bloody brilliant well done

[@kippertl7813]

Great work! Thanks for the detailed expense list.

[@trollmanrs]

WOW, what a great DIY job you have done there. We both are interested in DIY projects so subbed.

[@uksteve1913]

Genius! You made it look so easy but I imagine it wasnt..... You dont want to come over here and help me build one do you mate?

[@flaviusioan69]

Nice work and thanks for the steps

[@mjwasapedo1351]

That’s beautiful 🤩

[@evapendaki2530]

Good on you Mate DomIJ

[@JT-qr7ky]

The music makes this!

[@pokerworld]

Can I hire you to build this in my backyard? I’ll help with the labor, I just don’t have the knowledge of what to do.

[@simoncollier9855]

Lovely job. Great work.

[@johnkappelman5084]

Thanks! Awesome work.

[@marimattos8457]

Good job!

[@RoaringOrange]

You are the boss!!! So much inspiration for me! How did you keep track of all the little details? Did you come up with a comprehensive list of all the little things you needed or you went shopping multiple times? Like, bricks, bars, caps, pipes, etc. etc.

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Thanks very much :-). There is more info in the video description for you. I just bought stuff as I needed it. 👍🏻

[@kevinquevem]

Lovely job. Enjoy!

[@niallkennedy23]

excellent video dude. lots of hard work. you should be very proud of yourself.

[@mickaeelmateen7417]

Well done you have over engineered . Nice job Kind regards Mickaeel Scotland

[@tonedaflex]

Smashed it mate, well done!

[@maxarcher]

Wow looks incredible!

[@lynnbowen8842]

Very very nice you did a wonderful job

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

Just lovely!

[@ROBERTLUCIAn]

I m building a pool with an incorporated hot spa(also with blocks) here in the US and just stumbled upon your impressive project. Builders here don't insulate the hot spa but your work makes total sense. I m worried about developing cracks and water loss leaks because of the softer insulating foam. How has your pool held up? Thank you.

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Thanks. The specialist pool insulation is very sturdy. The gunnite with the fibreglass mesh is very strong. I have not had any cracks. Even if there was a hole into the insulation it wouldn’t loose water as the insulation itself is water resistant. I’d just make sure you use the same style specialist insulation - link to the uk version in the video description. Hope your build goes well!

[@frankiebraddaigh2800]

Excellent job. Very nice.id live one.😀

[@drewcama5481]

Happy Days and nights!

[@cmc2004]

thanks for upload stunning pool build fair play

[@AlexMW-1]

Awesome job and most enjoyable vid.

[@rxonmymind8362]

Couple advils and a good rest in the pool is definitely earned. Well done sir. Bravo.👍 As a side note is there anything you would have changed now that you have learned a bit about building it or keep it just the way you made it?

[@myhomemadediyprojects]

Thanks. I think I would probably put some jacuzzi jets in the seating end of the pool. Apart from that I am pretty happy with it. :-)

[@Red.Scapes]

Beautiful work! Congrats!