How to Build a Lap Pool

Lap swimming is a good way to get exercise, but the pool at the local health club is often crowded with lap swimmers. Rather than share a lane with another swimmer, some have opted to build lap pools in their back yards.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

What to Build

1. Make your lap pool at least 75 feet long, if possible. This is the standard length of a full-sized swimming pool. The minimum width is 8 feet, although a 10-foot lane is preferable if you have room.

2. Decide how deep you want your lap pool to be. It should be at least 3 1/2 feet deep, but you can make it deeper if you're a good swimmer and want the extra depth to comfortably make turns.

3. Include a ladder or steps to make it easy to get into and out of the lap pool, but take care not to place them in the way of the lane.

4. Make the lap pool part of a larger pool that can be used for recreation.

How to Build It

5. Mark out the placement of your pool with stakes in the corners and twine strung between the stakes. Doing this will ensure that you have enough room for your pool.

6. Buy a pool kit. With some help from family and friends, you can buy the walls, steps, lights and other features of your pool and assemble them yourself after the earth has been excavated.

7. Hire a contractor to excavate, trowel and backfill the hole for the pool.

8. Assemble the walls of the pool, then have the contractor pour more concrete to fix them in place.

9. Have the contractor install the plumbing for the pump and drain.

10. Put in the pool liner and install the deck around the pool. Do the landscaping work.

11. Fill the pool.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to dig up your backyard, consider an above-ground pool or buy a pool that creates a constant current so you can swim in a small space.