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Looking to install a pool in your backyard? With traditional swimming pools starting upwards of $100,000 now, there is a new trend sweeping the US: the container pool. With a DIY-friendly design, you can install your own pool in the backyard without getting your hands dirty. How? Let’s dive in.
A shipping container pool is simply a swimming pool created from a shipping container. These pools offer a gateway to endless possibilities, seamlessly blending modern aesthetics with functional elegance.
Most companies only offer the standard 8 foot by 20 foot pool. But thanks to Ecopool’s patented modular design, Ecopool comes in unlimited shapes and sizes. Configure pools from 8’ x 20’ to 16’ x 40’ or larger! Container pools connect like Legos onsite and allow you to build any size pool.
Made from a shipping-container core, 8-layer reinforced design, and a Zycore Membrane interior, container pools such as Ecopools are gaining popularity for their modern design and affordable price tag. Container pools are ready to be installed and can be delivered straight to your door.
The best container pools will have a completely smooth interior, rather than leaving the corrugation. They will also be lined with materail such as Zycore™ Membrane which cannot rust. You'll want to look for a true modular pool that will allow multiple sizes and configurations. Rather than being limited to sizes as small as 8' x 20', Ecopool can be as larger as your imagination.
In an industry that hasn’t changed much in the last 50 years, Ecopool takes a new approach with a modular pool design that can be installed in less than 1-3 days. Prefabricated pools arrive ready to be installed with features like windows, baja ledges, stairs, and more. With the ability to be placed inground and above-ground, the choice is yours.
The best part? You can install it yourself and save thousands by becoming your own general contractor. In this guide, we will walk through all the steps on what you need to do. You’ll become the maestro of conducting your own pool installation.
Did you know most pool companies don’t get their hands dirty? They are the ones coordinating subcontractors to do the actual building and work, without ever touching the tools. They hire the subcontractors and hit you with markups that can reach up to 100% or more. With our inside information and guide, you can take the lead and coordinate your own pool installation.
Container pools can be installed on the same day for above-ground or in as little as 1-3 days for inground. Depending on specific conditions, locations, and more, a container pool offers a quick and easy way to be swimming in just few weeks or less. While old-fashioned pools can take months, and even up to a year, a container pool flips the script and can be installed in just weeks.
So let’s dive into the steps on how to install a container pool yourself. We’ll cover the entire process, from ordering your pool to taking the first swim.
Choosing the perfect pool size can be a challenge. But here are the most common sizes for container pools:
8’ x 20’ Container Pool: Compact, yet large enough to swim and play in, an 8ft by 20ft is great for those on a budget or with limited space.
8’ x 40’ Container Pool: The perfect lap pool, the 8’ x 40’ combines two Ecopools into one large pool perfect for laps.
16’ x 20’ Container Pool: The most popular size, the 16’x 20’ is the ideal size pool for most backyards. Large enough to play, swim, wade, and lounge, this is a favorite.
16’ x 40’ Container Pool: Spacious and built to play. Enjoy swimming laps, playing, and having fun in the sun in the large 16ft by 40ft Ecopool.
Want a custom shape or size? The possibilities are endless. Discover U-Shape pools, L-Shape pools, and more. With a custom pool, any shape and size is possible thanks to the patented modular design.
Next, you’ll need to decide whether you want your pool inground, above ground, or partially inground. Each choice sets the stage for a unique backyard ambiance.
Inground and partial inground are other popular options as well. Similar to traditional gunite and fiberglass pools, you can fully set the Ecopool in the ground, blending it seamlessly with your landscape. This integration allows for an aesthetically pleasing look that enhances both the functionality and the artistry of your outdoor spaces. Whether nestled among garden plantings or married to an elegant patio, these pools redefine your backyard.
Above-ground is the easiest to install and can have you swimming the same day as delivery. Without the need to dig into the ground, this option offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility. You can build a stylish deck around it, enhancing the accessibility and aesthetics of your pool. Plus, you even have the option to add a window, transforming your pool into a stunning visual highlight that offers a glimpse into your pool to watch your kids play.
This is the fun part. You’ll design your own custom pool for your backyard. Choose various sizes, shapes, and more. Whether you want a lap pool or plunge pool, Ecopool’s modular design allows for unlimited configurations. Add a window, ledge, or stairs, the choice is yours.
Each Ecopool comes standard with the skimmer, pool filter, and pool pump. If you want to add other equipment such as an ultraviolet light system, robotic pool cleaner, or LED lights to light up your pool, all of that can be added, installed, and shipped with your container pool.
First, you'll need to select and prepare the site where the Ecopool will be installed. This involves clearing the area of debris, ensuring it's level, and confirming there are no underground utilities where you plan to excavate. Using stakes and string, outline the area based on the dimensions of the pool, adding an additional 12 inches on each side for the foundation. It’s a bit like marking the boundaries for a new kingdom, except much more practical.
Depending on your choice and pool size, you can opt for either a compacted gravel base or a concrete pad. For a gravel base, excavate the outlined area to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, then fill with gravel and compact it until level. For a concrete foundation, form the perimeter with wooden boards, ensuring they're secure and level, then pour the concrete. The concrete should exceed the pool’s perimeter by at least 12 inches. Think of this stage as laying down the red carpet for your pool's grand entrance.
Before placing the pool, install a drainage system to manage runoff and prevent waterlogging. Lay a perforated PVC pipe or Big-O piping around the perimeter of the excavated area, slightly tilted towards the nearest storm drain or dry well. Cover the pipes with gravel, then wrap the area with a vapor barrier to prevent soil moisture from affecting the pool. This system acts as a moat around your pool's castle, ensuring unwanted water stays away.
Once the foundation is ready and the drainage is in place, the pool can be delivered. Using a crane or telehandler equipped with soft straps, carefully lift and position the pool onto its foundation.
This process requires precision—think of it as landing a plane on a runway. The pool should be centered on the foundation, ensuring even weight distribution to avoid any future structural issues.
Safety is paramount, so ensure all electrical installations comply with local codes. Dig trenches from your power supply to the pool area for electrical conduits. Install a GFCI breaker suitable for the pool's pump and lighting system. All metallic components of the pool and electrical equipment within 5 feet of the pool must be bonded using #6 AWG copper wire, creating a network of safety that ensures any stray currents are effectively grounded.
Plumbing involves connecting the pool's filtration system, which includes the skimmer, returns, and drains. Use 2-inch PVC piping from the filtration system, reducing to 1.5 inches as you approach the connections at the pool.
Ensure all connections are tight and leak-proof. This step is akin to setting up the vascular system of the pool, ensuring clean and filtered water circulates efficiently.
Filling the Pool: Begin filling the pool with water. As it fills, check for and smooth out any wrinkles in the pool liner using your hands or a squeegee. This is critical to ensure the liner sits neatly against the pool walls, preventing folds that could trap dirt or damage the liner.
Backfilling and Landscaping: Once the pool is filled, backfill around the exterior with the soil that was originally excavated (if applicable), compacting it gently to ensure stability. You can also start landscaping around the pool, perhaps adding decking or stones to create a more inviting environment. This is the final brushstroke on your masterpiece, turning a construction site into a backyard retreat.
Now you’re done! Fill up the pool and dip in! Sit back and relax as you enjoy your backyard oasis.
We are here to help with all your questions on Ecopool container pools and the install process.
No worries – let us help. We can try to help you connect with a contractor in your area. Reach out to us via our contact page and we can help!
