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Project done by the couple in Dayton took about a month, reused old pump, filter, and deck, and transformed an abandoned area of the property into a leisure space with a natural appearance
After receiving a quote of $25,000 to install an in-ground pool, Laura Leet decided to build a lagoon pool with her husband in Dayton, Ohio. The project took about a month, cost less than $2,000, and reused the pump, filter, and part of the deck from the couple’s old pool.
The idea came when Laura realized her old above-ground pool needed to be modernized. The structure, according to her, had “seen better days,” but the price quoted for a traditional in-ground pool was far above what was expected.
Faced with the cost, the couple continued researching alternatives. During the search, they found references to natural pools, common in Europe, which use plants and stones to help filter the water.
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Laura and her husband liked the appearance but chose an intermediate solution. The new pool would have a look similar to a lake, while maintenance would continue to be done with the chemical products used in traditional pools.
Lagoon pool was dug by the couple themselves
The construction began with the excavation of an abandoned area of the property. After digging the hole, the couple measured the space to order a pond liner, chosen mainly for the cost and the desired visual result.
The dimensions of the lining and the height of the walls allowed for a deep end of 1.8 meters and a shallow end of 1 meter.
The shape also allowed for a wider opening than would normally be permitted by traditional pool linings.
During the excavation, Laura and her husband formed steps directly in the soil and adjusted the height of the skimmer, equipment used to remove debris from the water’s surface.
To prevent stones and roots from damaging the liner, they covered the ground and the sides of the hole with carpet. At the bottom, they added a thick layer of sand before installing the lining.
Pool drainage system needed to be adapted
Before adding water, the couple dug a trench around the entire perimeter to keep the liner in place. However, the solution presented a problem when rains began to fill the opening.
To correct the situation, corrugated pipes were installed in the trench. As a result, the accumulated water began to drain into an overflow located under a small bridge built in the space.
After this stage, the remaining work was to connect the pump and filter reused from the old pool. Part of the old deck was also cut and transformed into a pier over the new structure.
The reuse of equipment and materials helped keep the total cost below $2,000, less than a tenth of the $25,000 budget presented for a conventional in-ground pool.
Pool construction took a month and involved manual labor
From the start of excavation to the entry of the first water, the project took approximately one month. An excavator was used for about two days, but all other stages were carried out manually by the couple.
According to Laura, the hardest part was digging the ground and removing all the stones found in the hole. Despite the effort, she says she is satisfied with the choice and the location used for the construction.
Before the construction, that part of the property was covered with weeds and had no use. With the lagoon pool, the area was transformed into a private leisure space.
For Laura, the most gratifying result is being able to share the environment built by the couple with friends and family.
The project transformed an abandoned lot into a personal oasis, with a natural appearance and functioning similar to a traditional pool.
This article was prepared based on information from PEOPLE magazine, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
