There’s nothing like a day at the pool. You get to enjoy the warm sun, the cool water, and—best of all— you get to add fun to your workout.
While you can always hit up your local community pool or fitness center, there’s nothing like having the pool all to yourself. The best way to do that is to bring the water to you.
But turning your backyard into your personal waterpark oasis is no easy feat. Here are some key considerations before building a pool in your backyard.
Zoning Laws in Your Area
Unless you’re starting a garden, you can’t just grab your pickaxe and shovel, wander into your yard, and start digging. Most communities have zoning laws that apply to pools. You must make sure you know what rules apply to your area.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball to tell us what laws exist in every area, but here are a few common laws that you may run into:
- You need a building permit.
- You must submit plans from a licensed architect or other designers.
- You must produce a list of approved materials.
- You need to create an enclosure or fence around the pool.
- You must follow requirements related to electrical grounding.
- You must adhere to walkway requirements.
These laws are usually available on local government websites for your reference.
The Locations of Your Water and Sewer Lines
Other than the whole “being a law-abiding citizen” thing, there’s another reason you can’t just go digging up your yard. Several dozen gallons of sewage in your backyard might get in your way.
There is a difference between sewer lines and water lines. Even though the majority of yards run both lines, most people aren’t aware of the path they take under their property.
In other words, one minute you may be digging a hole, and the next, you’re having the worst-smelling day of your life. Fortunately, you can usually obtain information about sewage lines when you get your permit.
True Cost
For most of us, the initial cost is one of the biggest considerations before building a swimming pool. But even if you think you can cover the installation costs, the cost of pool upkeep is still pretty steep.
Just a few costs you’ll have to cover for your pool include:
- Liability insurance.
- Regular cleaning services.
- Pool chemicals.
- Filters.
- Increased water and electricity.
- Opening and closing pools for the season.
This means adding an extra $3,000-9,000 extra for expenses every year for most homeowners. But on the bright side, you will increase your home’s property value.
Building a swimming pool is a dream come true for many people. Just be sure to strategize a bit before diving in headfirst on the decision.