DIY "L" Shaped Concrete Pool Build

[igodeep]

Just starting to break ground, very early stages. Pool will be 12x26 (12 feet wide at the entrance running 26 feet which overlooks the canal) and 18x36 (shallow end (3.5 feet) to deep end (6 feet) ). New home is also being built simultaneously, this will be a long one. Roughly 1.5 years on the entire project

Ocean View (to the right)

Canal View (a little to the left)

 

[radefeld]

Quite the ambitions project, but it looks like you have the toys to make it happen! That is a great view, where is it?

 

[igodeep]

Thanks radefeld, it's definitely a great view. We're located in the Bahamas.

 

[CraigMW]

Wow, gorgeous! How deep will the bottom of the pool shell be with respect to the water table? It seems like being that close to the canal, you are going to have issues with hydrostatic pressure trying to pop the shell up.

 

[igodeep]

The 26 foot side of the pool which faces the canal starts where the backhoe is digging (this area is actually elevated a few feet up from the ground) in the first picture, there will also be a retaining wall before the pool wall (you can see the corner of the retaining wall in the first picture as well). The area where the rebar is already laid down will be stamped concrete just like the two sides on either side of it, this will be the 1st level or dock. We're going to pour the bottom of the pool shell 6-8 inches (same with the walls using forms), it's practically solid rock beneath us as you can see in the second picture. Not much soil here.

 

[radefeld]

I showed this to my wife - she mentioned that we would be more than happy to come and help on the construction - you just let me know when you need us!

 

[igodeep]

 

[CUTiger78]

Welcome to TFP, igodeep!

Pretty spectacular view! I've always thought waterfront property with a pool would be the best of both worlds. Sometimes the pool is just the best place to swim.

Please keep us updated w/ lots of pics.

Cheers!

 

[igodeep]

Thanks for the welcome CUTiger78, I'll do my best to post lots of pics during the build which will include some pics of the house being built as both are being built simultaneously.

 

[igodeep]

Very rough layout (apologies in advance ) of the back area of the property.


Level 1 - Stamped concrete dock (the pink/terracotta area in pic #1 of my first post) with steps leading up to level 2
Level 2 - Pool, pool deck and BBQ area with steps leading up to level 3
Level 3 - More terrace leading into the ground floor (1st floor) of the house

 

[igodeep]

Not a whole lot to report pool wise other then digging through tons of solid rock but we've made good progress on the house.

 

[aeromorris05]

Beautiful location but being an engineer and realizing that this is in the Bahamas; Do you have any storm surge concerns? Seems like even a Cat1 or 2 Hurricane would send waves of sea water up and into the pool?

 

[4knights]

I showed this to my wife - she mentioned that we would be more than happy to come and help on the construction - you just let me know when you need us!

My wife said the same thing! I'll even help keep the pool balanced using the the BBB method.

 

[igodeep]

Beautiful location but being an engineer and realizing that this is in the Bahamas; Do you have any storm surge concerns? Seems like even a Cat1 or 2 Hurricane would send waves of sea water up and into the pool?

Thanks for the concern, it is entirely possible we will get ocean surge from a CAT1 and above. We took this into consideration for the pool (and more importantly the house) and built up to where we felt comfortable without sacrificing the aesthetics of the overall build. The pool level will be roughly 8 feet above sea level (at high tide) and the ground level of the house will be 14+ feet above sea level. The way we see it is that if a storm comes along which is powerful enough (and approaches us in the path to push surge in our direction) the pool is the last thing to be worried about but we'll be more then safe inside the home.

 

[aeromorris05]

Cool. Now that I've confirmed I'll be safe. I'm patiently awaiting an invite.