Measuring and Digging the Subtropical Swimming Pool

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Measuring and marking the pool and veranda layout

   I start by measuring the ground to determine where the hole must be dug and where the flat foundation will lie. I also mark where the veranda will stand using square rubber tiles that measure exactly 3 by 3 meters. The pool hole must be at least 340 by 340 centimeters to fit a 3-meter pool in the middle, leaving 20 centimeters on each side for perimeter insulation and the outer concrete basin. I use red spray paint to mark the excavation boundaries.

   The hole overlaps with the veranda area. Later in the project, the slanted poles of the veranda can be moved half a meter backward so the motorized rolling pool cover can retract under the veranda without hitting the poles. Beams marked with red dots indicate where the fence poles are in the ground. Between these red dots, I need to dig straight down. Outside of these lines, I do not need to dig, so I can let it slope slightly.

   Because the pool is round, we do not need to dig out the corners. These support beams stay on solid ground and continue to support the fence weight even though everything underneath is excavated.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   red spray paint	1	used to mark excavation lines
   square rubber tiles	several	used to measure the 3 by 3 meter veranda area

2. 2

   Step 2: Renting machinery and clearing stones

   With the help of two people, we clear the space completely from small stones so it is ready for digging. Digging this by hand would be too much hard work, so we rent small machines from Jansen in Beik. The machines work great and make the work go extremely fast.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   excavation machinery	1	rented from Jansen in Beik

3. 3

   Step 3: Installing betonplex sheets and digging on the second day

   We show a large pit and another pole set in the ground. Next to this pole, we screw betonplex sheets against it to hold back the sand and prevent it from shifting. Today is the second day of digging, and both betonplex sheets are installed on this side while the back is filled with yellow sand.

   Today we dig the corners a bit deeper so they also reach a depth of 1.20 meters. This allows the remaining sheet to be put in place so the ground stays firm. Afterward, we excavate the rest of the pool area behind me.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   betonplex sheets	multiple	screwed against poles to hold back sand
   yellow sand	several loads	used to fill the back

4. 4

   Step 4: Hauling away sand and finishing the excavation

   We have now hauled away six trailer loads of sand and need about four more. After two days of intensely hard work, we have removed 11 trailer loads of sand in total, which equals about 14 cubic meters of sand. It was heavy labor, but the hole is finally dug.

   What I used

   Item	Amount	Notes
   trailers	11	used to haul away sand

5. 5

   Step 5: Takeaways

   • Leave 20 centimeters on each side of the pool for perimeter insulation and the outer concrete shell.

   • Leave the corner poles on solid ground so they can support the fence weight while digging underneath.

   • Renting machinery from Jansen in Beik saves a tremendous amount of manual labor.

   • Use betonplex sheets to prevent sand from shifting and sliding into the excavation.

   • We removed 11 trailer loads of sand totaling about 14 cubic meters.