Deciding on the location of the future pool is the beginning of the dream! It is both the choice of the location but also the first materialisation: by drawing the swimming pool on the ground, we can finally grasp the size and the shape of the project, its positioning in relation to the house, the terrace, etc… This essential step precedes the earthwork, which is the action of digging the ground, taking up more or less the dimensions of the future pool.
In this post, you will find each step of the construction of an infinity pool, from the design to its launch.
How to choose the right location for your pool
It is customary to say that it is the space provided for the pool that should determine the shape and size of the pool and not the other way around. In other words, by the time you draw the swimming pool, it’s almost too late.
Designing the “house-garden-pool” space as one entity
The consideration of the environment is undoubtedly the most important point. Think about the different views you will have; the view from the house to the pool is often thought of, but the view from the pool to the house is too often forgotten. Of course, the view from the pool terrace is very important, especially in case of a waterfall overflow. There must be a real symbiosis between the pool, the garden and the house, both architecturally and in terms of colour harmony.
The building department rules
Of course, the law imposes distances between the pool and the neighbours’ fence walls; these constraints can be relaxed or tightened according to the local urban plan or the condominium rules. It is essential to visit the building department of the place of construction before starting to develop a project.
Respect your privacy and that of others
Swimming should be a pleasure for you and your neighbours. Of course there are the regulatory distances, but beyond that, it is a matter of preserving each other’s privacy. Make sure that your neighbours do not have a view of your pool and that noises (screams, splashes, …) will not disturb them. Visual and sound nuisances can sometimes lead to very unfortunate neighbourhood quarrels.
The narrowness of town gardens encourages to build the pool as close as possible to the house; it is then very important to respect the architecture of the house when creating the pool. On the other hand, a swimming pool far from the house will preserve the peace and quiet. However, a pool-house with toilets and shower will be necessary to avoid the round trips between the house and the swimming pool.
Taking the environment into account
When choosing the location, it is important to consider, for example:
- Sunshine, to make the most of swimming or, on the contrary, more shade for very hot regions or countries.
- The location of trees, avoiding placing your pool near a deciduous tree that will bring shade and dirt.
- The direction of the wind, to avoid the cooling of the water.
- The topography of the land; you can take advantage of a terraced or sloping land to build a swimming pool with a waterfall or infinity overflow, even if you do not have a sublime 360º sea view.
If you have any doubts, seek advice from a professional who will be able to tell you, from the plan of your plot and photos, the best ideas for the installation of your pool.
Drawing your pool on the ground
Before this step, you will have drawn up a project plan that will be used for the declaration of works. The building department in charge of studying your file will check that the town planning rules are respected. This same document will be useful for tracing the pool.
Drawing a rectangular pool: child’s play
Starting from the project plan, it is sufficient to draw lines, but above all to check the squareness of the right angles; for example by calculating and drawing the diagonals, which must be perfectly equal. This is especially important if you are planning to install a shutter!
How to draw a free-form swimming pool?
This is more complicated than the previous one, but it can be done if you think carefully beforehand.
The triangulation method is the most often used and the simplest. Starting from 2 fixed points A and B located on the ground and easily spotted, a multitude of points have been calculated. Each point is marked by its distance from point A and point B. These points, spaced about 50cm apart, are then transferred to the field using 2 decametres or double decametres. Here is some information about the triangulation method.
Please see an example of this below, as you can see the result is in accordance with the drawing.
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- General plan
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- Tracing plan
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- Building swimming pool
It is true that many people hesitate to start building a free-form swimming pool because they are afraid of not getting the expected result. Now you know that this is not true! Even without the help of a surveyor, there are tools available to help you build the pool of your dreams.
Who can help you to choose the right location ?
Choosing the location of a pool is, above all, a matter of common sense. With the above advice, you should be able to do it on your own, however, the help of a professional can make a huge difference and avoid problems down the line.
If you call on a pool specialist, he will choose the location according to your criteria and draw the swimming pool on the ground; he will also try to simplify access to the site and limit the length of pipes from your home to the pool pump room.
In the case of a construction by craftsmen or in the case of a DIY pool, it is wise to ask a professional to carry out the ground plan of the pool. This will help to better visualise your project but also for the formalities afterwards of the building department.
In conclusion it’s safe to say every pool layout has advantages and disadvantages; a discussion with your family but also with the designer or builder of the pool should allow you to see more clearly and decide on the best location.
