How Can I Disguise My Pool Equipment?
Pool equipment is necessary to keep a pool running and clean, but it is unattractive and is noisy as well. Hiding pool equipment is also a good idea if the equipment could be damaged by children playing nearby. A complete pool assembly may take up 4 feet by 6 feet. Usually, there is also a large tank that is several feet tall. While it is a good idea to hide the equipment, it is also important to make the equipment easy to access when necessary. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Square
- Pencil
- Table saw
- Circular saw
- Heavy duty lattice panels
- Heavy duty lattice grooved receiver (wood or plastic)
- 4-inch by 4-inch outdoor posts
- 2-inch by 4-inch outdoor boards
- Post caps and screws
- Power screwdriver
- Screws (exterior graded)
- Level
- String
- Scrap lumber
- Nails
- Hammer
- Hole digging tool
- Concrete for post holes
- *opt. paver tiles
- *opt. sand
- *opt. shovel
- *opt. flat shovel
- *opt. landscape fabric
- Water (hose or bucket)
- Climbing plants
- *opt. shrubbery
Instructions
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Measure the pool equipment. Most pool equipment needs to be accessed from the front, so it is good to allow 2 to 3 feet in front of the equipment even if this goes beyond the existing slab. If the pool equipment slab does not extend forward, use shovels, sand, landscape fabric and pavers to create additional walking room in front of the equipment.
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Use the post digger to dig 18-inch deep post holes at each corner of the pool equipment area (this will be completely around the equipment if the area doesn't back up to a wall or fence). Add one extra hole 2 to 3 feet from one corner to create an access opening.
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3
Use the level and string to position each post in a hole so that all of the posts are level and so that the tops of the posts are taller than the tallest portion of the pool equipment. Use the scrap lumber, nails and hammer to brace the posts so that they remain level and even with each other.
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4
Pour dry post cement into each hole and add water, mixing with the shovel if necessary. This type of cement is designed for post holes. As an option the cement can be mixed in a large bucket with water and shoveled into the holes. Be sure to poke the mixture with the shovel or a stick to remove air pockets.
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Cure the cement as long as indicated on the packaging. Remove the bracing and measure the spans between the posts. Cut two pieces of two-by-fours for the top and bottom rail and two pieces of lattice grooved material (one for each railing). Most lattice has a grooved receiver material (either wood or some type of plastic) that can be mounted to two-by-fours with the lattice sliding into the grooves when the bottom and two sides are in place.
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Screw the lattice grooved material to the top and bottom railings.
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Screw or nail the bottom railing in position. Allow for several inches of clearance between the bottom railing and the finished landscape.
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Measure the height of the post from the railing to the estimated top of the top railing. Mark the spot. Allow for the top two-by-four railing and its lattice receiver material in your measurements for the panel and mark the adjusted height. The posts (uncut at this point) should extend at least four inches beyond the top of the top rail when the top railing is installed.
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Measure, cut and screw the lattice grooved material to the inside of each post.
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Measure and cut the lattice panels to fit the height of your adjusted measurement. Slide the lattice panel into the grooves on two posts and the bottom railing.
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Screw or nail the top railing into position, nesting the top of the lattice panel into the receiver material and checking the top railing for level. Repeat the lattice panels for all but the access opening. Pool equipment needs good airflow, which is why using lattice is a good choice.
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Measure from the top of the railing 3 to 4 inches up on each post and use the square to mark a cut line. (Mark the line on all sides to help keep the cut straight.) Use the circular saw to cut the tops off the posts so that all of the posts are even.
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Screw a top cap on each post to prevent water buildup.
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Plant climbing plants in front of the lattice panels. These will assist in disguising the pool equipment. Plant additional shrubbery to create a distance between the yard and the new lattice panels.
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Tips & Warnings
Use stepping stones to cross from the yard to the pool equipment, as you will occasionally need to access the pool equipment while barefoot.
Don't allow the climbing plants to invade the pool equipment. Keep them nicely trimmed on the lattice.
References
- Photo Credit Sisoji istockphoto#2267437
