Special 2024: Outdoor swimming pool
Water does not forgive planning or execution errors, on the contrary, it shamelessly exploits them. Where in summer there was a serene weightlessness, in winter when it freezes, forces develop that are explosive in the truest sense of the word.
Swimming pool construction requires highly specific planning knowledge. From the concrete foundation to the waterproofing to the tiling, extreme precision is required layer by layer during pool construction. In the worst-case scenario, a faulty "stone" in the planning and execution chain can trigger a domino effect that manifests itself as damage to the surface, usually the ceramic tile. The case appears to have been solved, but in order to achieve a construction with maximum durability, it is worth exploring the depths.
Detail work is the measure of all things in swimming pool construction. Cooperation between construction and material is the prerequisite for robust pools. If planners, construction chemists and tilers interact as a team from the outset, as is also expected of their installed materials, they can ensure at every stage that the reasonable expectation of robust longevity does not succumb to the stress test of seasonal changes. Architectural consultants at Agrob Buchtal therefore advise that in order to protect outdoor pools from the effects of frost, multi-disciplinary strategies should be employed to ensure that interfaces do not become potential weak points.
One of the key problems with outdoor swimming pools is the formation of cavities under the tiles. These voids can fill with water and freeze, causing the tiles above to react in a way that is uncharacteristic of their durable nature. A void-free installation is therefore just as essential as a professional, effective bonded seal between the building fabric and the tile.
It is crucial for the perfect quality of the sealing work that it is not affected by external influences such as weather etc. and that it is carried out without delay. Waiting too long between work steps can lead to the waterproofing layers splitting under load during subsequent operation. A precise cross-team construction schedule ensures that a 14-day leak test is carried out after completion of the waterproofing work.
If the building shell is completed but the installed penetrations are not suitable for connecting the waterproofing, problems are inevitable and mean costly retrofitting afterwards. Only the early integration of the building services can ensure that all penetrations and installations, e.g. railing sleeves, nozzles, etc., have appropriate flanges to which they can be connected.
Existing concrete substrates should be at least six months old before a tile covering is laid, as the drying process can cause shrinkage cracks to form in which water can collect and freeze. Unclean concrete joints and faulty detailing can also be the cause of leaks and cavities. When renovating, laying new tiles on top of existing tiles involves a considerable risk, because: It is not possible to see from the outside what the existing tiling is like in terms of cracks and cavities.
Conclusion: Planning and installing an outdoor swimming pool requires technical expertise above all else. It is advisable for all trades involved to make use of interdisciplinary expertise from the outset. Only together will the challenge of giving outdoor pools a durable and sustainable design be a success. The ceramic tile is as good and as robust as its foundation.
What else plays a role in protecting the outdoor pool from the frustration of frost? Users must follow a proper winterization strategy. But that's a topic for another article.
